Distributed energy resources on distribution networks: A systematic review of modelling, simulation, metrics, and impacts

Abstract

Distributed energy resources (DERs) have gained particular attention in the last few years owing to their rapid deployment in power capacity installation and expansion into distribution systems. DERs mainly involve distributed generation and energy storage systems; however, some definitions also include electric vehicles, demand response strategies, and power electronic devices used for their coupling with power grids. DERs challenge the entire operating system owing to their heterogeneous energy generation from renewable energy sources, the probabilistic nature of electric vehicle charging, and end-user exponential integration of power electronic devices. Research on DER integration has been conducted in the academic and industrial sectors. This study proposes a schematic literature review of DERs, including its modelling, description of deterministic and probabilistic power flow methods, power grid topologies for studies, and impacts of DERs on power grid operation. DERs are primarily modelled using probabilistic approaches. The most frequently optimized DER variables are sizing and location. Meanwhile, the most critical variables to analyse during their integration process to the power grid are voltage profile, frequency response, and charging of both lines and transformers, followed by less-proportional power quality indicators. Overall, DERs can improve the resilience of energy systems because they provide voltage and frequency support, reduce energy losses, enhance power quality indicators, and enhance energy recovery in extreme scenarios such as high-impact low-probability events.