Planning tools and methods for systems facing high levels of distributed energy resources

• It is important for utilities to plan for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) uptake by representing and modelling their characteristics using appropriate assumptions, methods and tools. Large-scale DER deployment impacts power flows and power system performance in various complex ways as well as potentially contributing to ancillary services. In this paper, we explore state of the art planning methods and tools being developed and deployed by utilities internationally, for systems facing high levels of distributed energy resources. This is part of technical working group C1 6.42 and our findings will be further expanded in the full technical brochure to be published in 2023. A survey of 17 international utilities was carried out to inform our study. In network planning, DER can broadly be treated similar to any other energy source. However, complexity arises particularly from several aspects: 1) how to model the impact of diverse, distributed DER at transmission and distribution network level and 2) how to model and characterise the impact of higher uncertainty from DER. This has led to a wider range of study conditions being considered using clustered time series and probabilistic methods to efficiently capture varying geospatial generation and demand during different times and seasons.Novel modelling approaches to representing DER in steady state and dynamic/transient studies have also been developed. These can have strengths and weaknesses and simulations of severe grid disturbances often fail to reproduce the widespread tripping of DER that can occur in reality, for example. Plant specific tuning for DER models and EMT modelling of high penetration networks are under development to better model behaviour under transient conditions. In order to provide greater whole-system representation, EMTP type numerical tools have been used to solve load flow problems with both transmission systems and distribution systems integrated into one network model. Hybrid/co-simulation approaches and dynamic phasor techniques are also being explored. More sophisticated and innovative statistical methods are also being applied to understand the impacts of DER and other uncertainty. Development of resilience standards and a more standardised approach to resilience modelling will support the improved consideration and contribution of DER in a resilient, decarbonised grid.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Naturresursteknik -- Energisystem (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Energy Systems (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Distributed energy resources (DER)

network planning

network modelling

Publication and Content Type

kon (subject category)

ref (subject category)