Investment Analysis of Network Reinforcements Mix for Distribution Systems with Distributed Generations

Abstract

New trends of environmental, regulation, and economical aspects cause an increasingly distributed generation (DG) connected to distribution networks. Existing distribution networks, however, are not designed to accept extensive DG. Many novel network reinforcement approaches have been proposed for solving the network connection issues. For economic viewpoints, it is important for determining cost-effective network reinforcement solutions for facilitating the meeting of DG growth goals while maintaining the network supply quality and operation security. This paper aims to address network reinforcements investment analysis for accommodating DG capacity growth. A methodology is proposed in this approach to quantify the impact of future increases in DG through the undertaking of a case study based on a generic distribution network model and different projected DG scenarios. Some available network reinforcement options used for managing fault level, voltage level, and power flows are presented and their costs required for meeting supply quality requirements of different types of customers are analyzed. Test results of applications of the proposed method to a practical distribution system are presented. Analysis results can assist distribution network operators in determining proper reinforcement options for managing distributed energy resources.