The Slovenian pilot consists of 5 gas stations, namely Gas station Izola, Bled, Čatež, Velenje and Celje. Three gas stations out of five are located on the area of Elektro Celje (DSO and consortium partner in SEEDS) and the two of them are spread at the different parts of Slovenia. The core project activities are focused on the remote management of the energy flexibility for the needs of further optimization of the energy consumption and in addition to that, our goal is also to offer flexibility services to the DSOs and TSO. So far we have assessed the actual energy status of each gas station and have listed the existing and needed equipment and flexibility potential of that equipment.

Slovenski pilot je sestavljen iz petih prodajnih mest (v nadaljevanju PM), in sicer PM Izola – Industrijska, PM Bled – Seliška, PM Čatež – Grič, PM Velenje – Celjska V in PM Celje – Mariborska. Tri prodajna mesta se nahajajo na območju Elektra Celje (distribucijski operater in konzorcijski partner v projektu SEEDS), dve pa sta locirani v drugih delih Slovenije. Glavne aktivnosti projekta so osredotočene na daljinsko upravljanje energetske prožnosti za potrebe nadaljnje optimizacije porabe energije, poleg tega pa je naš cilj tudi ponuditi storitve prožnosti za sistemskega operaterja in distributerje. Do sedaj smo ocenili dejansko energetsko stanje posameznega prodajnega mesta, popisali obstoječo in potrebno opremo ter prožnostni potencialnost te opreme.

It was built in 2019, and the PV plant was installed in 2022. The gas station consists of the main gas station building, gas pumps under a separate covered area on one side of the building and a manual car wash located across a parking lot on the other side of the main building. Main building contains the shop area, food corner, storage, toilets, communication equipment room, boiler room and a separate bar area which is rented out to a bar business owner. The bar has its own electrical meter (kilowatt-hour meter) and a distribution box. The bar is not included in the pilot. 

The main gas station building is already partially managed by POL648.80 (PETROL TP09) controller. The equipment that is not fully monitored and automated should be upgraded in a way that enables automated control of energy flows in the building. Manual car wash uses oil boiler for water heating a will be upgraded with a heat pump that will satisfy the monitoring and automation requirements. Existing photovoltaic power plant on the roof of the gas station will be included into energy management system.

IProdajno mesto je bilo zgrajeno leta 2019, fotovoltaična naprava pa je bila nameščena leta 2022. Prodano mesto je sestavljeno iz glavne stavbe, črpalke za gorivo pod ločenim pokritim prostorom na eni strani stavbe in ročne avtopralnice, ki se nahaja čez parkirišče. Glavna stavba vsebuje trgovinski prostor, kotiček za hrano, skladišče, toaletne prostore, prostor za komunikacijsko opremo, kotlovnico in ločen prostor za bar, ki je oddan v najem. Bar ima svoj električni števec (merilnik porabe v kWh) in distribucijsko omarico. Bar ni vključen v projekt.

Glavna stavba prodajnega mesta je že delno upravljana z regulatorjem POL648.80 (PETROL TP09). Oprema, ki ni popolnoma nadzorovana in avtomatizirana, bi morala biti nadgrajena tako, da omogoča avtomatizirano upravljanje z energijskimi tokovi v stavbi. Ročna avtopralnica uporablja kotel na kurilno olje za ogrevanje vode, nadgrajena pa bo s toplotno črpalko, s čimer bo možno izvajati nadzor in avtomatizacijo. Obstoječa fotovoltaična elektrarna na strehi prodajnega mesta bo vključena v sistem upravljanja z energijo.

Figure 1: Gas station »Bled«

Gas station “Izola” was built in 2015 and had a PV power plant added in 2022. The gas station location consists of the main gas station building, gas pumps under a separate covered area on one side of the building and a manual car wash located across a parking lot on the other side of the main building. Main building contains the shop area, food corner, storage, toilets, communication equipment room, boiler room and a separate bar area which is rented out to a bar business owner.

The bar has its own electrical meter (kilowatt-hour meter) and a distribution box. The bar is not included in the pilot. The main gas station building doesn’t have an automated building management system. Manual car wash uses oil boiler for water heating a will be upgraded with a heat pump that will satisfy the monitoring and automation requirements. Existing photovoltaic power plant on the roof of the gas station will be included into the energy management system.

Prodajno mesto »Izola – Industrijska« je bilo zgrajena leta 2015, fotovoltaična naprava pa je bila dodana leta 2022. PM vključuje glavno stavbo, črpalke za gorivo pod ločenim pokritim prostorom na eni strani stavbe in ročno avtopralnico na drugi strani glavne stavbe. Glavna stavba vsebuje trgovinski prostor, kotiček za hrano, skladišče, toaletne prostore, prostor za komunikacijsko opremo, kotlovnico in ločen prostor za bar, ki je oddan v najem.

Bar ima svoj električni števec (merilnik porabe v kWh) in distribucijsko omarico. Bar ni vključen v projekt. Glavna stavba prodajnega mesta nima avtomatiziranega sistema za upravljanje stavbe. Ročna avtopralnica uporablja kotel na kurilno olje za ogrevanje vode, nadgrajena pa bo s toplotno črpalko, s čimer bo možno izvajati nadzor in avtomatizacijo. Obstoječa fotovoltaična elektrarna na strehi prodajnega mesta bo vključena v sistem za upravljanje z energijo.

Figure 2: Gas station »Izola«

Gas station was built in 2004 and is located on the highway. The gas station location consists of the main gas station building, with a shop area on the left and a restaurant area on the right side of the building. The area of the gas station includes a shop area, storage, toilets, a communication equipment room, a boiler room. 

The location has two electric vehicle charging stations (2 x 50 kW). It is planned to add two more charging stations in the coming years. The main gas station building doesn’t have an automated building management system. There is currently no photovoltaic power plant, but it will be added in the future. In addition to photovoltaics, the integration of a battery storage system is planned. Heating is currently provided by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), while hot water preparation is primarily done using a heat pump. We want to switch heating to a heat pump. The heating with LPG will remain in place and is intended to operate during colder temperatures and offering flexibility. 

A separate restaurant area is rented out. The restaurant has its own electrical meter (kilowatt-hour meter) and a distribution box. The restaurant is not included in the pilot.

Prodajno mesto je bila zgrajeno leta 2004 in se nahaja ob avtocesti. Prodajno mesto vključuje glavno stavbo, s trgovinskim prostorom na levi in restavracijo na desni strani. PM vključuje trgovinski prostor, skladišče, toaletne prostore, prostor za komunikacijsko_opremo_in_kotlovnico.

Lokacija ima dve polnilni postaji za električna vozila (2 x 50 kW). V prihodnjih letih sta načrtovani še dve polnilni postaji. Glavna stavba prodajnega mesta nima avtomatiziranega sistema za upravljanje stavbe. Trenutno ni fotovoltaične elektrarne, vendar bo le-ta še nameščena. Načrtovana je tudi integracija baterijskega hranilnika. Ogrevanje se trenutno zagotavlja z utekočinjenim naftnim plinom (LPG), voda pa se ogreva predvsem s toplotno črpalko. Načrtujemo prehod na ogrevanje s toplotno črpalko. Ogrevanje z LPG-jem bo še vedno prisotno in bo delovalo pri nižjih temperaturah.

Ločena restavracija je dana v najem. Restavracija ima svoj električni števec (merilnik porabe v kWh) in distribucijsko omarico ter ni vključena v projekt.

Figure 3: Gas station »Čatež – Grič«

Gas station Velenje was built in 1997 and is located on the main road between the highway and the city of Velenje. The gas station location consists of the main gas station building, with an automated manual car wash located near the main building. The area of the gas station includes a shop area, storage, toilets, a communication equipment room, a boiler room. The main gas station building doesn’t have an automated building management system. The equipment should be upgraded in a way that enables automated control of energy flows in the building. 

The existing photovoltaic power plant on the roof of the gas station will be included into the energy management system. Heating is currently provided by heating oil, while hot water preparation is done using electric heaters. We want to switch the heating and the preparation of hot water to a heat pump.

Prodajno mesto »Velenje – Celjska V« je bilo zgrajeno leta 1997. Lokacija prodajnega mesta vključuje glavno stavbo z avtomatizirano ročno avtopralnico v bližini glavne stavbe. PM vključuje trgovinski prostor, skladišče, toaletne prostore, prostor za komunikacijsko opremo, kotlovnico. Glavna stavba PM nima avtomatiziranega sistema za upravljanje stavbe. Oprema bi morala biti nadgrajena tako, da omogoča avtomatizirano upravljanje z energijskimi tokovi v_stavbi.

Obstoječa fotovoltaična elektrarna na strehi PM bo vključena v sistem upravljanja z energijo. Ogrevanje se trenutno zagotavlja s kurilnim oljem, voda pa se ogreva z električnimi grelniki. Načrtujemo, da se bo ogrevanje in priprava tople vode zagotavljaja s toplotno črpalko.

Figure 4: Gas station »Velenje – Celjska V«

Gas station Celje was built in 2007 and is a town gas station. The gas station location consists of the main gas station building, gas pumps under a separate covered area on one side of the building. Main building contains the shop area, food corner, storage, toilets, communication equipment room, boiler room and a separate bar area which is rented out to a bar business owner. The main gas station building doesn’t have an automated building management system. 

Existing photovoltaic power plant on the roof of the gas station will be included into the energy management system. Heating is currently provided by a roof-top heating machine on a natural gas., while hot water preparation is done using a heat pump. We want to switch the heating to a heat pump.

Prodajno mesto »Celje – Mariborska« je bilo zgrajena leta 2007 in je locirano v mestu. PM vključuje glavno stavbo, črpalke za gorivo pod ločenim pokritim prostorom. Glavna stavba je sestavljena iz trgovinskega prostora, kotička za hrano, skladišča, toaletnih prostorov, prostora za komunikacijsko opremo, kotlovnice in ločenega prostora za bar, ki je oddan v najem. Glavna stavba PM nima avtomatiziranega sistema upravljanja stavbe.

Obstoječa fotovoltaična elektrarna na strehi PM bo vključena v sistem upravljanja z energijo. Ogrevanje se trenutno zagotavlja z grelno napravo na strehi, ki uporablja zemeljski plin, voda pa se ogreva s toplotno črpalko. Načrtujemo prehod ogrevanja na toplotno črpalko.

Figure 5: Gas station »Celje – Mariborska«

In designing solutions for providing flexibility in electricity consumption at gas stations, we have relied on historical data about the energy use of existing facilities. We have extensive data on total energy consumption for selected gas station locations, and for the gas station in Bled, we also have more detailed data on the energy use of individual devices within the facility. This data includes historical consumption data over a period of 3-4 years. 

A detailed analysis of this data has allowed us to identify devices whose operation can be adjusted to provide flexibility services. This is especially important when identifying actual and new devices that are suitable for integration into electrical grid flexibility systems, as their control can contribute to better alignment with grid loads and greater system stability. 

Based on the analysed data, a project brief has been prepared for the designer, focusing on integrating existing and newly planned devices or systems in a way that ensures sufficient information from sensor and meters for effective regulation of controlled devices. The design will involve developing strategies for optimizing device operation and their interactions with the electrical grid, contributing to improved energy flexibility at the gas station.

By incorporating advanced technologies for monitoring and controlling energy consumption, the gas station will be able to better manage loads and contribute to the stability and efficiency of the electrical grid, which is crucial for supporting the sustainable development of energy infrastructure. 

As part of the project, we will also test energy storage battery systems, which will contribute to further stabilizing the grid and enable the use of surplus generated energy on-site from solar panels. The systems and operational models will need to be tested and adjusted to support various energy usage modes, including the integration and deactivation of loads and storage units.

Our focus in the project is on creating a methodology for offering energy flexibility services to various market players. These services play a crucial role in enhancing grid stability but come with challenges such as dynamic resource allocation, aggregation, adherence to controllers, and collaboration among numerous stakeholders including electricity markets, aggregators, distribution and transmission system operators, and consumers. To address these complexities, we will employ advanced techniques like machine learning for predicting the state of flexibility resources and multi-criteria decision modelling to identify and aggregate their essential properties based on stakeholders’ expertise. These aggregated criteria will be utilized in effective optimization algorithms that prepare flexible resources for market offering, ensuring a transparent and efficient energy trading process. The solution will undergo testing at the Slovenian pilot site alongside Petrol d.d. and Elektro Celje d.d., paving the way for large-scale implementation of these services.

Pri oblikovanju rešitev za nudenje prožnosti pri porabi električne energije na PM smo se opirali na zgodovinske podatke o porabi energije obstoječih objektov. Imamo obsežne podatke o skupni porabi energije za izbrane lokacije prodajnih mest, za PM »Bled – Seliška« pa imamo tudi podrobnejše podatke o porabi energije posameznih naprav znotraj objekta. Ti podatki vključujejo zgodovinske podatke o porabi za čas zadnjih 3-4 let.

Podrobna analiza teh podatkov nam je omogočila, da smo identificirali naprave, katerih delovanje lahko prilagodimo za zagotavljanje prožnostnih storitev. To je še posebej pomembno pri iskanju dejanskih in novih naprav, ki so primerne za integracijo v sisteme prožnosti električnega omrežja, saj lahko njihovo upravljanje prispeva k boljšemu usklajevanju z obremenitvami omrežja in k večji stabilnosti sistema.

Na podlagi analiziranih podatkov smo pripravili projektno nalogo za projektanta, ki se osredotoča na integracijo obstoječih in načrtovanih naprav ali sistemov na način, da se zagotovi dovolj informacij s senzorjev in merilnikov za učinkovito regulacijo nadzorovanih naprav. Oblikovanje vključuje razvijanje strategij za optimizacijo delovanja naprav in njihovih interakcij z električnim omrežjem, kar prispeva k izboljšanju_energetske_prožnosti_na_prodajnem mestu.

Z vključevanjem naprednih tehnologij za spremljanje in nadzor porabe energije bo prodajno mesto lahko bolje upravljalo obremenitve ter prispevalo k stabilnosti in učinkovitosti električnega omrežja, kar je ključno za podporo trajnostnemu razvoju energetske_infrastrukture.

V sklopu projekta bomo preizkusili tudi sisteme za shranjevanje energije, ki bodo prispevali k nadaljnji stabilizaciji omrežja in omogočili uporabo presežne energije, proizvedene na sami lokaciji. Sistemi in operativni modeli bodo morali biti preizkušeni in prilagojeni za podporo različnim načinom porabe energije, vključno z integracijo in deaktiviacijo obremenitev ter enot za shranjevanje.

Naš osrednji cilj v projektu je ustvariti metodologijo za ponudbo storitev energetske prožnosti različnim tržnim igralcem. Te storitve igrajo ključno vlogo pri izboljšanju stabilnosti omrežja, vendar prinašajo izzive, kot so dinamična dodelitev virov, agregacija, upoštevanje regulatorjev in sodelovanje številnih deležnikov, vključno z električnimi trgi, agregatorji, operaterji distribucijskih in prenosnih sistemov ter potrošniki. Za reševanje teh izzivov bomo uporabili napredne tehnike, kot je strojno učenje za napovedovanje razpoložljivosti prožnostnih virov, ter večkriterijske odločitvene modele za identifikacijo in agregacijo njihovih ključnih lastnosti na podlagi strokovnega znanja deležnikov. Ti agregirani kriteriji bodo uporabljeni v učinkovitih optimizacijskih algoritmih, ki bodo pripravili prožnostne vire za tržno ponudbo, s čimer bo zagotovljen pregleden in učinkovit postopek trgovanja z energijo. Rešitev bo testirana na slovenskem pilotnem objektu v sodelovanju s Petrol d.d. in Elektro Celje d.d., kar bo odprlo pot za široko implementacijo teh storitev.