Flexible Connection Concept and Planning Studies for its Piloting in a Transmission System

This paper presents a flexible connection concept and planning studies required for its piloting in a transmission system. The proposed concept utilizes a short-term rating of power system components and operational flexibility of market-based resources. In case of congestion, the short-term rating of power system components provides inherent technical flexibility. This allows a time frame to utilize active power control of flexible resources to maintain system security. The active power control of flexible resources is activated on-demand through a redispatching order at the balancing market. The proposed method enables rapid and cost-efficient grid integration of renewable energy resources without physical grid reinforcements while providing an increase in liquidity into the balancing market. This paper presents more in detail the planning perspective to prove the technical feasibility of the concept and to enable a pilot project rollout in the Finnish transmission system.