On May 13, 2025, Lionel Delchambre successfully defended his Université Libre de Bruxelles/VITO PhD. Congratulations!
The thesis of Lionel is entitled: “Development of innovative solutions for leveraging grid-safe LV flexibility”.
In summary: The ongoing energy transition has significantly increased the penetration of distributed energy resources and electrified loads at the Low Voltage distribution grid level. Photovoltaic panels, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and residential energy storage systems are now commonplace among Low Voltage end-users. These developments, coupled with flexibility activities newly available at Low Voltage level, such as frequency control, present both opportunities and challenges for Distribution System Operators (DSOs).
However, the growing complexity and unpredictability of Low Voltage load profiles pose significant risks of grid congestion, potentially jeopardizing the safe operation of the Low Voltage grid. In this context, Distribution System Operators require innovative tools to identify and manage Low Voltage congestion effectively.
In his thesis, Lionel has developed methodologies to both identify and manage this increased risk for low voltage congestions. He also shows how the developed methodologies can be integrated in the existing operational frameworks of DSOs today and shows how a more effective interaction between TSOs and DSOs could look like, offering practical mechanisms for secure, flexible grid management.
Source: VITO
