Cost Sustainability Analysis of an Enhanced Distribution Network

Abstract

This study presents the cost sustainability analysis of an enhanced distribution network (DN). In the study, the enhancement of the DN was achieved through network reconfiguration (NR) and the introduction of distributed generation units (DGs) at some locations. When the DN was only reconfigured, the power losses in the network reduced by 23.39 % at 1.0 p.u loading; whereas, the minimum voltage profile in the network improved by 1.79 %. When both reconfiguration and DG were engaged in losses minimization, power losses reduced by 61.94 % at full load, whereas the minimum voltages in the network improved by 7.66 %. When the DN was reconfigured and DGs were embedded at three different locations, the energy losses in the entire network reduced by 61.94 % and 58.37 % at 0.5 and 1.0 loadings respectively; whereas, the minimum voltages in the network improved by 1.21 % and 8.46 % at 0.5 p.u and 1.0 p.u loadings respectively. The information obtained from the load flow analysis was used for the economic analysis of the DN when both reconfigured and three DGs were embedded at different locations of the network. The annual financial energy gains evaluated from the annual energy savings was about $125,000.00, when the DN operated at 100 % loading capacity all year round. The financial savings are sufficient to cover annual operational cost of solar PV DGs; as well as, recovering its capital investment with a payback period of 5 years.