An analytical planning approach for determining the maximum penetration of renewable distributed generation in the distribution network

Abstract

This work proposes an analytical planning approach for determining the maximum penetration of renewable distributed generation (DG) in radial power distribution systems with the consideration of wind turbines and solar photovoltaics. Firstly, an analytical approach based on a simplified set of analytical expressions is proposed for manual calculation of maximum DG penetration at individual buses in the distribution network. Then, the solution realized by analytical approach is validated against the exhaustive load flow analysis, in a 33-bus radial distribution system. Afterwards, a DG planning method is developed based on the analytical approach. The application of DG planning method is assessed in a 69-bus distribution system where the numerical results confirm its usefulness. The proposed planning method can be used as a preliminary tool for estimating the maximum allowable DG penetration in the distribution network.