A comparative analysis of generation and transmission expansion planning models for power loss minimization

Abstract

In modern power systems, renewable energy resources are becoming more relevant due to their eco-friendly nature and sustainable electrification. Therefore, it is important to consider the effects of the renewable energy resources (RERs) on the generation expansion planning and transmission expansion planning (GTEP) simultaneously. The proper assessment of power losses is essential in order to adequately evaluate the consequence of renewable energy resources in power systems. This paper presents multi-objective optimization problems that are solved using DC, modified DC and AC modelling methods in order to accurately and efficiently compute electrical losses and its impacts on the expansion planning procedure. This paper develops a Mixed Integer Non-linear Programming (MINLP) problem and was solved using CONOPT and CPLEX solvers embedded in Algebraic Modelling Language. The proposed methods are evaluated and validated on three case studies: IEEE Garver’s 6 bus system, IEEE 24 bus test system and a real-world Nigeria Power System. A comparative analysis of the three modelling approaches and a sensitivity analysis of the simulation results indicate that AC solution method provide an accurate computation of power losses and efficient optimal planning strategy as compared to the modified DC method.