Effect of Voltage Constraints on the Exchange of Flexibility Services in Distribution Networks

Many possibilities exist to organise exchanges of flexibility within a distribution system. In this paper, we call such a possibility an interaction model. The DSIMA (Distribution System Interaction Model Analysis) testbed allows one to compare quantitatively candidate interaction models by simulating a distribution system with actors taking decisions to maximise their own profit or minimise their costs. The original testbed focused on establishing the procedures to exchange information between actors and used a network flow model considering only active power. This paper extends DSIMA with a linear approximation of the power flow equations, the line limits and the voltage constraints. This linear flow model is compared to a network flow model by simulating three different interaction models governing the exchange of flexibility services within a Belgian distribution system. Results show that changing the network model may significantly impact the quantitative results obtained from the simulations.