Spotlight on a student: James Naughton
A modelling framework for a multi-energy virtual power plant providing network services considering uncertainty
James Naughton is undertaking a joint PhD with the University of Melbourne, and the University of Birmingham, UK.
His PhD focusses on the development of a modelling framework for a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) to unlock the flexibility of renewables and distributed energy resources (DER).
What is your research about?
With increased renewables and distributed energy resources (DER) in the electrical network, it is important to find ways that these devices can provide network services rather than just energy to ensure reliable grid operation. The research in my PhD focusses on the development of a modelling framework for a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) to unlock the flexibility of renewables and DER. The framework conducts a multi-stage optimisation, coupling technical modelling (allowing it to consider the provision of multiple network services) and economic modelling (allowing participation in multiple markets to maximize VPP revenue) whilst considering uncertainty in future market prices, renewable generation availability, and load.
Aggregating these devices into a VPP allows them to participate in multiple network markets, accruing additional revenue. The modelling framework considers how a VPP utilises reactive power to alleviate network constraints, as well as other services such as upstream reactive power support. It also considers how the VPP could operate considering new dynamic constraints that may soon be added to the network, such as Fast Frequency Response or Inertia requirements. Further to this, my work also proposes how holistically considering multiple energy vectors can increase the flexibility of the VPP. My work has focussed on the integration of electricity and hydrogen, which provides services to the power system, while reducing the cost of generating hydrogen, an important step in enabling the Australian hydrogen economy.
Because this framework considers both economic and technical modelling, it can also be used to investigate new market interactions, such as the possible interactions between a Distribution System Operator and a new Distribution Market Operator entity.
Overall, my research is part of a broader range of research being conducted by the power systems group into the opportunities, problems, and capabilities of the integration of DER and of the increased multi-energy dependencies in the Australian power system.
Who are your supervisors?
I am conducting a joint PhD with the University of Melbourne, and the University of Birmingham, UK. My research has been supervised by Professor Pierluigi Mancarella and Professor Michael Cantoni from the University of Melbourne, and Professor Xiao-Ping Zhang from the University of Birmingham.
What do you want to do next?
Post PhD I would like to remain in Australia and continue working on the flexibility provided by renewables and DER. I am considering a move into industry and will try to bring with me the insights and opportunities that have been identified in my work, with the hope of seeing some of them implemented in the real world.
Have you received any awards?
I was a recipient of the Priestly Scholarship, which provides financial support throughout my PhD.
James is happy to answer any questions about his research. You can contact James or his supervisor, Professor Pierluigi Mancarella, with any queries that you may have.