Optimal Planning of Active Networks

Deployment of Distributed Generation into the existing passive distribution networks is reaching a critical point. Active management enables the distribution system operators to maximize the use of the existing circuits and impacts not only the operation of distribution networks but also the planning of the system. The optimal planning of system expansion becomes more complex because of the number of options available, the probabilistic methods and the inclusion of operation in planning. The paper presents a novel algorithm for the optimal distribution planning that allows capturing the benefits of active management in the expansion of distribution systems by applying heuristic optimization techniques. The methodology proposed is applied to a real world case study in order to illustrate how with the active management of the network the value of distributed energy resources can be properly assessed.