Understanding barriers to utilising flexibility in operation and planning of the electricity distribution system – Classification frameworks with applications to Norway

There is an increasing need for flexibility in power systems worldwide, giving rise to European policy documents outlining how Distribution System Operators (DSOs) should procure and include flexibility in the planning and operation of their electricity distribution grids. This implies a remarkable change from today's situation where DSOs rely on investments in grid assets that they have full control of, to a new regime where DSOs would rely on flexibility provided by third parties. The objective of this work is to gain a better understanding of the barriers to and opportunities for wide-spread utilisation of flexibility in planning and operation of electricity distribution grids. Building upon a previous literature review and taxonomy for classifying and characterising power system flexibility, we propose frameworks for i) classifying flexibility resources and flexibility enablers in grid operation and planning, and ii) classifying and understanding barriers to utilising them in terms of a flexibility value chain. These theoretical frameworks are tested against empirical data collected in semi-structured in-depth interviews with a representative selection of Norwegian DSOs. Mapping the findings to the frameworks gives a systematic overview of the flexibility situation in Norway and presents both country-specific and general insights about barriers to utilisation of flexibility.