Assessing the role and magnitude of different flexibility measures and assets in distribution and transmission grids

The general objective of this study is to identify and characterise flexibility solutions, and to assess their potential roles to alleviate congestions in transmission and distribution grids. More precisely, the study has two major objectives: (i) to provide a holistic overview of the different flexibility options at hand, including a description of their potentials in the EU MSs, their techno-economic characteristics and possible fields of deployment, and (ii) to provide a scenario-based assessment of the potential deployment of flexibility assets to avoid congestions in distribution and transmission grids, to enhance the utilisation of existing grid infrastructure and to facilitate a cost-efficient integration of renewables. In an initial step, we define and analyse a reference situation in order to identify the congestions with limited flexibility solutions, if any. Subsequently, we test different flexibility solutions that can help alleviate congestions, by making use of the newly developed transmission and distribution grid modules of the EU energy system model METIS.