Data-driven estimation of probabilistic constraints for network-safe distributed energy resource control

Distribution network safety should not be compromised when distributed energy resources (DERs) provide balancing services to the grid. Often DER coordination is achieved through an aggregator. Thus, it is necessary to develop network-safe coordination schemes between the distribution network operator (i.e., the utility) and the aggregator. In this work, we introduce a framework in which the utility computes and sends a constraint set on the aggregators' control commands to the DERs. We propose a policy to adjust the charging/discharging power of distributed batteries, which allows them to be incorporated into the framework. Also, we propose a data-driven approach for the utility to construct a constraint set with probabilistic guarantees on network safety. The proposed approach allows the DERs to provide network-safe services without heavy communication requirements or invasion of privacy. Numerical simulations with distributed batteries and thermostatically controlled loads show that the proposed approach achieves the desired level of network safety and outperforms two benchmark algorithms.