OPTIMAL PLACEMENT AND SIZING OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATION IN A RADIAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR RESILIENCE ENHANCEMENT AGAINST VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS

Abstract

High impact low probability (HILP) events significantly impact the power distribution system (PDS) infrastructure. In this context, resilience is becoming of growing concern worldwide. In this paper, a methodological framework to optimal distributed generation (DG) planning for resilience enhancement in PDS against volcanic eruptions focusing on the lahar occurrence is proposed. The proposed methodology includes the concept of vulnerability curves to determine the unavailability of the PDS elements, the Monte-Carlo simulation method (MCS) to characterize the volcanic lahars and a stochastic optimization problem (SOP). The methodological framework is implemented on the IEEE 37-node test feeder. The results reveal that DG is critical for the resilience enhancement of a PDS against lahars formed by a volcanic eruption. In addition, we present preliminary results of the methodology implemented on a feeder of the San Rafael and Salcedo substations in the concession area of the electricity distribution company ELEPCO S.A. in Cotopaxi-Ecuador, which is vulnerable to lahars that could form in a Cotopaxi volcano eruption located at the northeast of Latacunga city.