A Heuristic Process for an Automated Evaluation of Distribution Grid Expansion Planning Approaches

Abstract:
The increasing share of distributed renewable generation poses severe challenges and uncertainties to the operation and expansion planning of distribution grids. Additionally, the upcoming of novel technologies such as OLTCs, curtailment or storage systems complicate the practical expansion planning processes. To face these challenges, this paper presents a tool for the automated evaluation of distribution grid expansion planning. This tool determines the need of total investment for the sum of a greater number of distribution grids in different scenarios and for different (smart) grid expansion options. Hence, the impact of different scenarios and expansion options on the vast majority of distribution grids or entire regions can be determined within short time, without neglecting the heterogeneity of distribution grids. Currently beside traditional grid expansion measures, the use of OLTC, consideration of different behaviors of flexible loads and the curtailment of DG are realized.