A Parallel and Decoupled Approach for Time-Series-Based Planning of Distribution Grids Considering Active Power Curtailment

Abstract:
The ongoing development towards active distribution grids requires considering operational measures in the planning process. This motivates grid planners to use advanced planning techniques, such as time-series-based planning. This paper systematizes time-series-based planning processes for the consideration of active power curtailment within a grid planning process. We can avoid or defer grid reinforcement by curtailing a small fraction of the feed-in of renewable energy generators. The associated planning process must orchestrate time-series simulations and grid planning decisions to find an optimal trade-off between curtailment and reinforcement. The approach we propose in this paper identifies an optimized combination of reinforcement and curtailment for a specific future scenario of renewable energy penetration. Furthermore, we show how we can accelerate the overall planning process by using parallel computing.