Applications of a Reference Network Model to High Penetration of Distributed Energy Resources Situations

1. Applications of a Reference Network Model to Situations with a High Penetration of Distributed Energy Resources Claudio Vergara, PhD. Massachusetts Institute of Technology July 27th 2015, IEEE-PES General Meeting With the collaboration of

2. Distribution Network Structure Source: Domingo, C.M.; Román, T.G.S.; Sánchez-Miralles, A.; González, J.P.P.; Martínez, A.C., "A Reference Network Model for Large-Scale Distribution Planning With Automatic Street Map Generation," Power Systems, IEEE Transactions on , vol.26, no.1, pp.190,197, Feb. 2011

3. RNM: Formulation options GREENFIELD • Planning from scratch (generation of representative networks from locationand basic characteristics of consumers) BROWNFIELD • Incremental network expansion (starting from an initial situation design network additions to cope with future changes on demand and DERs)

4. Synthetic network creation process Source: MIT, The Future of Solar Energy Report

5. Two case studies • SOLAR PV • Increasing penetration of solar PV in distribution networks (due to the lack of simultaneity with peak consumption) may increase the needs for network reinforcements. Energy storage can be used to reduce the impact. • LARGE SCALE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PLANNING • Combining off-grid and grid-connected systems to design energy access solutions for millions of people in developing countries

6. Impact of solar PV generation on distribution networks Source: MIT

7. Impact of solar PV generation on distribution networks Source: MIT

8. Impact of solar PV generation on distribution networks Source: MIT

9. Impact of solar PV generation on distribution networks Source: MIT

10. Impact of solar PV generation on distribution networks Source: MIT

11. Impact of solar PV generation on distribution networks Source: MIT, The Future of Solar Energy Report

12. Impact of solar PV generation on distribution networks Distribution Losses Total incremental cost Energy storage Energy storage Source: MIT, The Future of Solar Energy Report

13. Two case studies • SOLAR PV • Increasing penetration of solar PV in distribution networks (due to the lack of simultaneity with peak consumption) may increase the needs for network reinforcements. Energy storage can be used to reduce the impact. • LARGE SCALE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PLANNING • The Reference Electrification Model: combining off-grid and grid-connected systems to design energy access solutions for millions of people in developing countries.

14. Testing REM in India • Conducting planning exercise in Vaishali district • Population of ~4M • Electricity access ~20% • Collaborating with: • Bihar State government and power company • Tata Power company Source: MIT

15. Reference Electrification Model • REM supports large-scale electrification planning by automatically producing detailed system designs: • Selects the best electrification mode for each customer (grid, microgrid, isolated) • Selects technologies and sizes components for electricity generation and distribution • Produces system cost and performance estimates • Sub-problems • Spatial clustering of buildings • Distribution network design • Off-grid generation design • Electrification mode comparison

16. 1 Spatial clustering • Goal • Determine the best grouping of customers into grid extension projects • And alternative off-grid grouping • Approach • Restrict search space with minimum spanning tree • Use fast estimates of network and generation cost differences between options Source: MIT

17. 2 Distribution network design • Locate power source: • Microgrid—center of microgrid • Grid extension—nearest MV line • Use the Reference Network Model to design system from the source to the customers: • Power lines • Transformers • Protections Source: MIT

18. 3 Off-grid generation design • Search space of solar, battery, diesel sizes • For each option, simulate fraction of year and estimate cost • Heuristic and optimized operation options POWER TIME Source: MIT

19. 4 Electrification mode comparison Off-grid Costs (₹ lakh/yr) Distribution Network: 3 Generation + Outages: 116 Total:118 Grid Extension Costs (₹ lakh/yr) 100% grid availability Distribution Network: 66 Energy: 46 Total:113 50% grid availability Distribution Network: 66 Energy + Outages: 110 Total:177 Source: MIT

20. Generation Site Sensitivity study for an individual system: Demand. Low Voltage Network Consumers Source: MIT Low Demand Medium Demand High Demand

21. Sensitivity study for regional planning: Grid reliability ~10km Very reliable grid (95%) Very unreliable grid (20%) Source: MIT Source: MIT

22. Remarks • The reference network model was created to estimate the remuneration of distribution companies. • It is capable to approximate an efficient engineering design process of distribution networks. This has been used to estimate the required reinforcements under a high PV penetration scenario. • RNM can be used as a sub-routine in algorithms that simultaneously plan distribution networks and distributed generation. The Reference Electrification Model is currently being calibrated to support electrification planning in India, Rwanda, Kenya and Perú.

23. Thank you for coming! Claudio Vergara, PhD. Massachusetts Institute of Technology cvergara@mit.edu With the collaboration of