Global capacity announcement of electrical distribution systems: A pragmatic approach

We propose a pragmatic procedure to facilitate the connection process of Distributed Generation (DG) with reference to the European regulatory framework where Distribution System Operators (DSOs) are, except in specific cases, not allowed to own their generation. The procedure is termed Global Capacity ANnouncement (GCAN) and is intended to compute the estimates of maximum generation connection amount at appropriate substations in a distribution system, to help generation connection decisions. The pragmatism of the proposed procedure stems from its reliance on the tools that are routinely used in distribution systems planning and operation, and their use such that the possibilities of network sterilization are avoided. The tools involved include: long-term load forecasting, long-term planning of network extension/reinforcement, network reconfiguration, and power flow. Network sterilizing substations are identified through repeated power flow computations. The proposed procedure is supported by results using an artificially created 5-bus test system, the IEEE 33-bus test system, and a part of real-life distribution system of ORES (a Belgian DSO serving a large portion of the Walloon region in Belgium).