Performance and Security Evaluation of Virtual Islands as a Service for Active Distribution Networks

This article presents and discusses the role of the Virtual Islanding (VI) control strategy in decentralizing flexibility services for distribution networks (DNs). VI services are provided by Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) through a suitable coordination of available local flexible resources. The impact of the proposed VI service is assessed by investigating its ability in mitigating security violations during DN operations. The VI service’s efficacy is tested considering the model of a realistically sized DN and developing a scenario of a high-RES penetration scenario, as foreseen by the Italian Energy Plan (PNIEC). The robustness of the approach was challenged applying a randomized association of flexible resources to the RECs. The aim is to prove that VI can substantially support DN operations, regardless the distribution of flexible resources among feeders and energy communities. To make a comparison with an ideal centralized control made by the Distribution System Operator, a Distribution Optimal Power Flow (OPF) formulation is also developed. The simulations are performed in a Python (v. 3.12.7)/OpenDSS (v. 9.6.1.1) open-source programming environment.