ONS is working on a new mapping initiative to measure the transmission grid‘s capacity to absorb energy generated by distributed generation, aiming to bring greater stability to the Brazilian power system.
The National Electric System Operator (ONS) is structuring a new mapping tool focused on the impact of micro and mini distributed generation (MMGD) on our grids.
With the accelerated growth of renewable sources, especially solar energy, the agency aims to quantify exactly how much volume coming from distribution networks can be injected into the transmission grid without compromising operational security.
The initiative, presented during the Smart Grid Fórum, reflects the need to modernize the management of the electricity sector.
The goal is to go beyond current flow maps and create an integrated view that accounts for the complexity of distributed energy resources spread across the national territory, ensuring that the advancement of the energy transition occurs with technical predictability.
Integration and decentralized management
To operationalize this interface, ONS has been relying on a regulatory sandbox in partnership with utilities.
The model aims to test the role of the DSO (Distribution System Operator) in managing energy resources, allowing the operator to monitor and dispatch these assets in real time to meet systemic demands, without implying direct control of local networks by the federal agency.
ONS has no intention of stepping into the distribution network as an operator; its intention is to interface with the utility to make this happen.
Security and the role of batteries
In parallel, the operator is developing the Regional Generation Relief Scheme (ERAG), an automated protection layer designed to mitigate oversupply in the system.
The expectation is to implement a pilot project later this year, capable of automatically curtailing up to 3 GW from remote solar plants, ensuring stability during critical moments of fluctuation.
The strategy also includes the strategic use of battery energy storage systems.
According to ONS, contracting batteries via the Capacity Reserve Auction (LRCap) will not only serve to meet peak demand but will also act as a fundamental flexibility resource for the electrical system.
The transition to a more digitized and interoperable model is currently the sector’s greatest challenge.
The success of this endeavor depends on the successful integration of technology, telemetry, and coordination among entities, transforming the vast fleet of distributed generation into an active grid support tool rather than an operational liability.
