Hosting capacity of distribution networks: Evaluation of the network congestion risk due to distributed generation

Abstract

The integration of generation units in distribution grids is one of the main research topics in the field of smart grids. Governments are supporting the connection of small/medium size generators directly to the distribution network, but the consequent growing number of energy producers poses several technical issues. For the planning and operation of a distribution network it is then important to estimate the maximum installable generation according to the limits imposed by the power quality standards. In the recent years, several methods for the evaluation of the Hosting Capacity (HC) has been proposed and designed in order to take into account different aspects related to the reliable operation of the network. However, many methods are not taking into account the effects of the grid allocation of distributed generation and, especially, the unknown position of it before the power plants realization. The paper describes a novel solution to compute the HC on the basis of the risk of network congestion. In addition to the classical voltage and current constraints, the proposed approach also integrates the stochastic allocation of distributed generation and separately evaluates their impact on the HC value.