Composite generation and transmission expansion planning toward high renewable energy penetration in Iran power grid

Abstract

This study proposes a composite generation and transmission expansion planning (CGTEP) with high renewable penetration in Iran power grid. The goal is to minimise the generation and transmission investment and operation costs, start-up/shut-down costs, and the cost of energy not served during a 10-year planning horizon. The problem is formulated in a mixed-integer linear format, considering power flow limits, ramping rate limits, minimum up/down times of the generation units, uncertainty of wind and solar generations, and deterministic and probabilistic reliability constrains including reserve margins for generation capacities and expected energy not supplied boundary. In addition, according to the specific geographic characteristics of Iran, import and export of the electricity, as well as the limitation of water resources for power generation, is modelled in the CGTEP problem. The proposed CGTEP method is implemented in business as usual and renewable target cases without considering the uncertainty, and RT case with uncertainty considerations. In RT cases, 30% renewable penetration is targeted to reduce the CO2 emission by 10%. In addition, the capability of Iran power grid in providing green energy for the neighbouring countries is investigated in this study.