REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE REAL LABORATORY OF A DECENTRALIZED LOAD MANAGEMENT CONCEPT

The increasing number of decentralized energy resources and the growth of controllable loads, especially e-mobility, cause new challenges for stable operation of energy grids. Demand side management to reduce power peaks is one possible alternative to grid reinforcements, allows minimization of peak loads and thus increase the grid efficiency. Within this research work a concept for decentralized load management for electric vehicles is developed. The following paper analyses the current regulatory framework based on existing German laws and customer contracts to realize the decentralized real laboratory. The German Energy Industry Act (§14a EnWG) allows distribution grid operators to control flexible loads at reduced grid charges. Besides this, consumer privacy concerns and data security have to be considered and are therefore part of the decentralized concept. Furthermore, there are contracts between customers, energy suppliers and DSOs that specify several locking periods for clusters of flexible loads. Depending on the DSO's specifications and the customer contract, an electric vehicle can be blocked for certain time windows, a flexible period during the day or not at all. The described concept of decentralized load management considers all aspects mentioned above. It may be adapted to other countries with different regulatory frameworks. The paper further addresses several discussions on possible adjustments.