Integration of DG in MV-grids: Challenges encountered by the grid operator

Abstract

Due to economical and political trends, in the Netherlands the electricity produced by distributed generation units has increased significantly. From 2004 on in the Stedin area, three large greenhouse areas have been developed. In each greenhouse a CHP-plant is installed and as a DSO Stedin saw the number of new CHP-plant connections in its MV grid increasing. Legal rules oblige Stedin to connect CHP-plants in a much shorter time frame than normal project times for necessary grid extensions. This leads to a major grid planning problem, especially when a grid extension of the transmission grid is involved.