Feasibility study for utilising flexibility in operation and planning of the electricity distribution system

There is an increasing need for flexibility in power systems worldwide, giving rise to European policy documents outlining how Distribution System Operators (DSOs) should procure flexibility and include flexibility in planning and operation of their electricity distribution grids. This implies a remarkable change from today's situation where DSOs rely on investments in grid assets that they have full control of, to a new regime where DSOs should rely on flexibility provided by third parties. The objective of this work has been to gain a better understanding of the feasibility of and barriers to wide-spread utilization of flexibility in planning and operation of electricity distribution grids. Building upon a previous literature review and a taxonomy for classifying and characterizing power system flexibility, we propose frameworks for i) classifying flexibility resources and flexibility enablers in grid operation and planning, and ii) classifying and understanding barriers to utilizing them in terms of a flexibility value chain. These theoretical frameworks are tested against empirical data collected in semi-structured in-depth interviews with a representative selection of Norwegian DSOs. Mapping the findings to the frameworks gives a systematic overview of the flexibility situation in Norway and presents both country-specific and general insights about barriers to utilization of flexibility.