eDisGo

eDisGo – Electricity distribution grid optimisation

What does eDisGo help with?

The eDisGo tool was developed by researchers at the RLI to study the need for grid expansion in medium- and low-voltage networks and to evaluate electrical flexibilities as an alternative to grid expansion.

Who is the tool suitable for?

The tool is primarily designed for energy system modelers, but it is also valuable for electricity grid operators and municipal utilities who want to assess the impact of future developments, such as the expansion of decentralized renewable energy systems and sector coupling, on electricity distribution grids.

How does eDisGo work?

eDisGo offers various interfaces to other tools and to the OpenEnergy Database for creating or integrating scenario data. Key tools include ding0, for generating synthetic distribution grid topologies, and SimBEV, for creating driving profiles of electric vehicles.

Additionally, eDisGo provides heuristics and a non-linear optimization method to determine grid expansion needs and the use of flexibility. Grid expansion needs are identified through an automated process that applies typical grid reinforcement measures used by grid operators to resolve grid issues. The non-linear optimization identifies an optimal use of flexibility within the constraints of the grid.

What are some examples of its use?

RLI researchers used eDisGo in a study commissioned by the transmission system operator Elia to investigate the grid impacts of market-oriented charging. In the eGo^n project, our experts combined eDisGo with the eTraGo tool to analyze high- and extra-high-voltage networks and determine the impact of sector coupling on grid expansion needs across all electricity grid levels in Germany.

Further projects:

• WP-Flex
• Climate-Neutral Power Systems in Neighborhoods
• Decentralized Electrolyzers for the Energy Transition

How can eDisGo be used?

The program code is written in Python and is available on GitHub under the AGPL-3.0 Open-Source License.