Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 2014, 2, 227-232
Published Online April 2014 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jpee
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2014.24032
How to cite this paper: Wang, Q., Zhang, C.Y. and Ding, Y. (2014) Congestion Management Strategies of Real-Time Market.
Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 2, 227-232. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2014.24032
Congestion Management Strategies of
Real-Time Market
Qi Wang, Chunyu Zhang, Yi Ding
Center for Electric Power and Energy, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
Email: qiwa@elektro.d tu.dk, chzh@elektro.dtu.dk, yding@elektro.dtu.dk
Received December 2013
Abstract
The high penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) will significantly challenge the power
system operation and control due to their stochastic, intermittent, and fluctuation characteristics.
This enhances the difficulty of congestion management of power systems in cross-border electric-
ity market among different regions. For handling this, the Real-Time Market is proposed for ba-
lancing capacity trading against congestions. Several strategies for Real-Time Market dealing with
congestions are proposed. The strategy of two-stage crossborder markets in Day-ahead, Intra-day
and Real Time Market are introduced with the congestion constraints complied. Pre-Contingency
strategy is proposed as the advance preparation for the future congestion, and In-Day re-dispatch
is used for regulation. Accordingly, the requirements on facilities considering telemetry and re-
mote control in a fast manner are discussed at last.
Keywords
Congestion Management; Electricity Market; Real-Time Market; Distributed Energy Resources
(DERs)
1. Introduction
Heavy use of the electricity grid produces congestion, a situation in which the lowest-priced electricity can’t
flow freely to a specific area. In that case, the generations with more-expensive electricity price are ordered to
meet the heavy demand. As a result, Locational Marginal Prices (LMPs) are higher on the receiving end of the
congestion and lower on the sending end. Operating conditions such as fluctuating generations, intermittent
great energy consumptions and transmission outages can cause congestion and result in electricity price changes
[1,2].
In recent years, due to the growth of energy consumption, the extensive use of conventional fossil fuels from
the exhaustible resources and the environmental concerns, high penetration of distributed energy resources is
considerably observed worldwide. However, the stochastic, intermittent, and fluctuation nature of the output
from these resources are frequently discussed as a potential barrier to larger scale application of these technolo-
gies. In the future, energy grids, renewable, e.g. wind & PV and more efficient energy sources, e.g. CHP are
critical for improving the security of our energy supply by drawing upon sustainable natural sources and reduc-
ing environmental impacts [3,4]. However unlike conventional generation, high penetration levels of these
Q. Wang et al.
228
DERs will pose a significant challenge associated with balancing of demand and supply, which may be a major
cause of congestions in the future electricity grid [5,6].
DERs have already played an important role in many areas of Europe and American. For example, in Den-
mark, 30% of the total electricity consumption comes from renewable energy, of which two third from wind
power [7]. In the U.S., one gigawatt of solar power installed by May 2012, reflecting the rapid growth of solar
power over the past few years [8]. By the end of 2012, wind power accounted for roughly 3.4% of installed ca-
pacity supply, which provided 12,634 GWh of annual energy in American [9]. Predictably, there will be more
competition for these balancing resources and therefore these will result in a big probability of congestion oc-
currence.
In the current Nordic power market setup, the Crossborder Capacity Allocation in Intraday market is respon-
sible for the equilibrium of supply and consumption against the congestions [10]. However, the U.S. runs a
Real-Time Electricity Market where electricity price cleared in 5 minute intervals [11]. This Real-Time Market
handles congestions by means of telemetry and remote control based on real time price signals [12]. In this pa-
per, firstly analyzes the successful experience for congestion management in Nord Pool and PJM in U.S. Then
several strategies for Real-Time Market dealing with congestions are proposed, including market strategies,
constraints and operating strategies.
2. Congestion Management of Nord Pool
The Nordic Power market was the first international power market and it consists of four Nordic countries:
Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark. These countries run a common power exchange, the Nord Pool, where
market participants can buy and sell electricity [13]. The common power market was mainly motivated by effi-
ciency reasons. The mix of production technologies in the Nordic power market is quite large and it would im-
prove the efficiency of production if market participants could trade between countries. The main part of the
production in Finland and Denmark is based on thermal generation, whereas Norway is a very hydro-intensive
country. In Sweden, the electricity production is mainly based on hydro and nuclear power [14].
In the Nordic power market, the wholesale trade of electricity is organized through Nord Pool power ex-
change. The first settlement between energy supply and demand in a given hour of operation happens in the
Day-ahead Market (DAM), which in the Nordic countries is called Elspot [15]. When the Elspot market closes,
a price where the expected production meets the expected consumption is found. However, as the hour of opera-
tion approaches, this expected balance might need adjustment as the expectations regarding i.e. wind power
production or consumption change. Therefore, a new settlement between production and consumption and pro-
duction is found, first on the Elbas Intra-day Market (IDM) and then on the intra-hour regulating power market.
The regulating power market is a common Nordic market for physical electricity trading 15 - 60 minutes prior to
the hour of operation [16].
The Congestion management in Nord Pool is done in Intra-day Market, explicitly, the Intraday Capacity Ser-
vice for Crossborder Capacity Allocation [17]. Available Transfer Capacity (ATC) plays the role as the cross
border limits, combined with the given capacity constraints, within the time scope of one hour before regulation.
The power flow is defined towards the higher price. After Elspot closes, transmission system operators (TSOs)
allocate capacity on their own grid to Elbas where is a multi-area platform. The Physical Transmission Rights
allocate through explicit auctions between border countries. These rights once nominated to the platform must
be executed [10]. Figure 1 shows the Congestion Management Structure in Nord Pool.
3. Congestion Management of PJM
As a neutral, independent Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), PJM operates the wholesale electricity
market of the 13 states of U.S. and Columbia District. PJM contributes to the most effective and cost efficient
reliability of long-term high-voltage electricity grid for more than 51 million residents [18]. The continued in-
creasing of renewable power generation, dominatingly wind and solar power, greatly enhances the opportunities
to harness the unpredictable and intermittent uncertainties [19].
The wholesale electricity trading markets consist of several markets according to different time scale. The
first settlement is cleared in Day-Ahead Electricity Market where hourly Locational Marginal Prices (LMPs) are
calculated for the next operating day based on the balance of generation offers, demand bids and scheduled bila-
teral actions [20]. Instead of the traditional hourly Intraday Market, PJM adopts the Real-Time Market for the fast
Q. Wang et al.
229
deviation correction just 5 minutes before dispatch [21]. Then for supporting the Real-Time Electricity Market,
the Operating Reserve Market is designed for both Day-ahead and real-time operating reserves [22]. Otherwise,
PJM has a Day-Ahead Scheduling Reserve Market, where supplemental 30-minute reserves are procured. It is
the compensation mechanism to generators for providing reserve with day-ahead and balancing operating re-
serve credits.
In PJM, the Interconnection’s LMP system takes account of congestion in determining wholesale electricity
prices. It reflects the value of the energy at the specific location and the time it is delivered [23]. The LMPs send
price signals that identify congestion, and encourage the development of new transmission facilities, new gener-
ations (e.g. DERs) or demand-response initiatives in areas where congestion is common [12]. Figure 2 shows
the Congestion Management Structure in PJM.
4. Congestion Management Strategies
4.1. Two-Stage Crossborder Markets Strategy
In order to manage the congestion and pricing at the crossborder of the areas, two major strategies are adopted,
one is minimum of Net Transfer Capacity (NTC), another is maximum of Available Transfer Capacity (ATC).
They execute both in DAM, and IDM or Real-Time Market based on different time scope. The flow direction
should be predefined in the DAM, for example, regard location A as reference connected with location B, the
energy flow income to A defined as positive, on the contrary, the energy flow outcome from A defined as nega-
tive. For import positive flow, maximum the NTC into three levels, for example, 90%, 95%, and 100% of the
capacity. For export negative flow, set one level of minimum ATC. The flow direction defines should be done
respectively by both of the connected two location A and B. The NTC and ATC calculations are performed sep-
arately by both A and B. Due to the different calculation formulas which vary with respect to the flow direction,
monthly or yearly nomination summation, A and B may get different value of NTC and ATC. The final value
should be decided by the matching of the values from A and B. the values should be not always equal, TSOs can
determine where can be inconsistency according to their own crossborder nominations.
Figure 1. Congestion management in Nord Pool.
Figure 2. Congestion management in PJM.
Q. Wang et al.
230
The calculation is performed in two stages, in DAM and IDM respectively. In DAM, the calculation firstly
execute on Day-2 by TSOs to provide 24 NTCs for their own borders; then these NTCs are shared among all
TSOs and matched centrally to determine an equal value; finally, each TSO verifies and adjusts their own op-
timal value corresponding to each security constraints. After confirming each NTC value, the capacity on bor-
ders is allocated through an auction by price coupling subject to crossborder flows, orders’ acceptance and re-
jection. Consequently, the pricing may result in two probabilities:
If the borders capacities are sufficient, the electricity prices among all the borders are the same;
If the capacities are insufficient, the prices are different.
In DIM, the same calculation and matching occur but in intraday time scale. The calculation firstly happen in
Day-1 afternoon after DAM closed. Then the joint auctions are performed in separate energy blocks for every
individual hour of the day. The NTC values are recalculated refer to the intraday constraints and adjust the devi-
ation of the DAM results. On all the borders, there may be several intra-day allocation gates per day. The prices
may be the same or different depending on the sufficiency of the border capacities.
For Real-Time Market, the NTC calculation and matching are even faster to five minutes just before dispatch.
The joint auction and price coupling are depending on the information signals from telemetry and for remote
automatic control. The fast performance is valuable for integrating unpredictable DERs and demand response
participant as reducing consumptions.
4.2. Congest ion Constraints Strategy
The calculation of NTC and ATC must comply with special constraints for congestion management. The Aus-
tralian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) operates a real time, security-constrained, economic fast dispatch ener-
gy market, where we may extract a lot of valuable experience from [24]. The constraints are illustrated as follows:
The equations should follow the binding constraints. Binding is not only the summation of a certain time, but
also the collection of several functions. For example, the frequency control requirement, or the networks
support for the same generators.
The constraints need consideration of power market impacts. The market impact is the re-run mechanism by
the marginal values subject to the marginal constraint cost. This market impact is large on the bidding of the
individual generator.
The interconnector limits should include in the constraints. Constraint equations set the import or export lim-
it for an interconnector at a particular time with consideration of the impacts from multiple interconnectors,
frequency control requirements and generators production.
Transmission outage times should be submitted before the start time of the outage, and then be rescheduled.
Demand forecast deviation may impact the line rating a lot. Therefore, Demand forecasting need have the
potential to forecast dynamic line ratings for the reasonable pre-dispatch.
4.3. Pre-Contingency Basis Strategy
Pre-Contingency strategy for congestion management is based on the off-cost generations which run to alleviate
contingency overloads. The basic idea is to find ample fast-start generation or switching actions available for
eliminating the actual overload caused a contingency. The facilities must have more than one fast-start combus-
tion turbine or diesel generator in the vicinity or off-line.
In case of the possibility that some generation will not start, normally, 120% availability of generation is fit
for establishing a short-term emergency rating for 30 minutes. The Transmission Owner (TO) may offer genera-
tion run-back schemes and switching and reclosing procedures to control these facilities. Local Control Centers
(LCC) must be capable of implementing the Pre-contingency switching procedures via SCADA control. Addi-
tionally, LCCs must also have the ability to dump sufficient load via SCADA in the event that switching proce-
dures cannot be implemented, for example, pre-contract for load shedding with large electricity consumers.
4.4. In-Day Congestion Strategy
Besides the Pre-contingency strategy as the preparation for avoiding congestion in advance, the operations and
dispatches should be considered in case if In-Day Congestion happens out of forecasting. In In-Day Congestion
Q. Wang et al.
231
case, TSOs and Dispatchers should maintain the actual flow within +/100 MWs of their Desired Flows by the
following operations,
Coordinate Phase Angle Regulators to adjust the desired flows within predefined thresholds. It can adjust
flows moving from the one line to other lines that the adjustment does not exceed a certain MW for not in-
crease total transmission cost.
The adjustment should be notified by a phone call and recorded in information systems.
Curtail all the market transactions that are not willing to pay congestion.
Rebalance the flows back within the certain MW bandwidth. If the rebalance is not achievable, confirm a
Desired Flow Offset.
Re-dispatch the confirmed flow.
4.5. Consideration on Facilities Requirements
In order to control loading and voltage with fast activations, all facilities under congestion management must be
observed in by TSOs through sufficient telemetry to provide accurate and reliable state estimation, with re-
quirement of some redundant metering. The facilities for a line or transformer must be observable with sufficient
telemetry redundancy. The branch has MW/MVAR telemetry at both ends and there is some MW/MVAR tele-
metry for other branches injections at buses connecting to the branch. The bus has at least one voltage telemetry
point and it also has some MW/MVAR telemetry for its branches and injections. Figure 3 shows the compre-
hensive concept of Congestion Management Strategies in Real-Time Market.
Figure 3. Concept of congestion management strategies in
real-time market.
Q. Wang et al.
232
5. Conclusion
This paper focuses on the strategies for congestion management of Real-Time Electricity Market. After the
analysis of the congestion management experience both in Nord Pool and PJM in the U.S., five strategies are
proposed from the perspectives of electricity market design. The strategy of two-stage cross-border market im-
plements the auctions for congestion alleviating in the first stage (Day-ahead), and the second stage in Intra-day
and Real Time Market. The constraints especially for congestion calculation are discussed as well. While, the
pre-Contingency strategy is the advance preparation for the future congestion, when congestion occurs, it is
solved by In-Day re-dispatch. Finally, the requirements on facilities for telemetry and remote control in a fast
manner are discussed.
References
[1] Dan, C., Stefan, K. and Constantin, B. (2010) Deregulated Power Market Congestion Managemen t. Proceedings of the
15th IEEE Mediterranean Electrotechnical Conference, Melecon, 654-659.
[2] (2011) Communication from the commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and
Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Smart Grids: From Innovation to Deploy me nt, Brussels.
[3] Zhang, C., Ding, Y., Jacob, Ø., et al. (2013) A Flex-Market Design for Flexibility Services through DERs. Proceedings
of IEEE ISGT Europe 2013, Copenhagen, 6-9 October 2013.
[4] Ding, Y. , Pineda, S., Nyeng, P. and Jacob, Ø. (2013) R eal-Time Market Concept Architecture for EcoGrid EU-A Pro-
totype for European Smart Grids. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 4, 2006-2016.
[5] Zhang, C., Ding, Y. and Li, Y. (2013) New Organizations in Electricity Market. Flex Power Project Report, Copenha-
gen.
[6] Zhang, C., Ding, Y. , Jacob, Ø. and Wu , Q. (2013) Generation Expansion Planning Considering Integrating Large-Scale
Wind Generation. Proceedings of IEEE IECON 2013, Vienna, 10-13 November 2013, 2049-2054.
[7] (2012) Master Data Register for Wind Turbines.
http://www.ens.dk/da-DK/Info/TalOgKort/Statistik_og_noegletal/Oversigt_over_energisektoren/Stamdataregister_vind
moeller/Sider/forside.aspx
[8] PJM (2012) Solar Power. http://www.pjm.com/about-pjm/renewable-dashboard/solar-power.aspx
[9] Fagan, B., Luckow, P. and White, D. (2013) The Net Benefits of Increased Wind Power in PJM.
http://www.sy napse-energy.com/Downloads/SynapseReport.2013-05.EFC.Increased-Wind-Powe r-in-PJM.12-062.pdf
[10] Barquín, J., Rouco, L. and Rivero, E. (2011) Current Designs and Expected Evolutions of Day-Ahead, Intra-Day and
Balancing Market/Mechanisms in Europe. http://www.optimate-platform.eu/downloads/index.html
[11] PJM (2013) Real-Time Energy Market. http://www.pjm.com/markets-and-operations/energy/real-time.aspx
[12] PJM Operations Support Division, Transmission Operations Department (2013) PJM Manual 03: Transimission Oper-
ations. http://www.pjm.com/~/media/documents/manuals/m03.ashx
[13] Nord Pool (2005) Conversion of Block Bids and Use of Flexible Hourly Bids. Exchange Information, No.81.
[14] Nord Pool ASA (2004) Trade at the Nordic Market. Nord Pool Power Exchange.
[15] Nord Pool (2013) System Price. http://www.nordpool.com/How-does-it-work/Day-ahead-market-El-/Price-calcula tion/
[16] The Nordel Market Development Group (2008) Description of Balance Regulation in the Nordic Countries.
[17] Nord Pool (2006) Implementation of Annex to Regulation EC 1228/2003 (Congestion Management Guidelines) in the
Nordic Electricity Market. http://www.nordpoolspot.com/Documents/Exchange%20Information/EnclEIno78.pdf
[18] PJM Interconnection (2013) PJM’s Response to the 2012 State of the Market Report.
[19] PJM (2013)A Greener Grid.
[20] Shoemaker, J. (2012) Current PJM Real-Time Data Exchange. PJM.
[21] PJM (2014) Real-Time Energy Market. http://www.pjm.com/markets-and-operations/energy/Real-Time.aspx
[22] PJM (2012) Market Participant Process Improvements.
[23] Bowe, T.T., Mallinger, T., Rodriquez, A.J. and Zwergel, D. (2004) PJM-MISO Congestion Management Process.
Power Systems Conference and Exposition, IEEE PES, vol. 3.
[24] AEMO Congestion Modelling (2013) The Nem Constraint Report 2012. Document REF: SC_CM_30, Version: 2.