Sector Coupling as Planning Measure in Power Distribution Networks

Inhalt:
This paper presents an approach for simulating coupling elements as network planning measures in power distribution networks. In the approach, coupling elements are simulated together with power and gas networks. The coupling element can either be used to completely solve the existing violations of technical constraints in the power network or solve them in combination with conventional network expansion. In the cost calculation, investment costs of the coupling element, fix operational costs, energy costs as well as power and gas network expansion costs are considered. Two application models are defined and investigated. In the first model, the coupling element is operated by a unit operator and is tempo-rarily used in a network-serving way. In the second model, the distribution system operator himself installs the coupling element and operates it only for network-serving purposes. In both models, different price components can be considered to reflect the regulatory framework. The total costs for the use of coupling elements as a network planning measure are determined. The results and the comparison with conventional network planning show that coupling elements in model 1 are cheaper solutions than the conventional network expansion and an additional remuneration as incentive can be paid to the unit operator. Model 2 is always more expensive than conventional network planning within the scope of this paper.