A Comprehensive Method of Determining the Minimum Hosting Capacity of a Distribution Feeder

Hosting capacity (HC) is a topical issue given the increasing penetration of distributed energy resources like photovoltaic (PV) in power distribution networks. The minimum HC of a distribution feeder is valuable information for distribution system operators (DSOs) for interconnection request purposes. This information provides the maximum amount of PV a feeder can accommodate anywhere in the network such that no further site-specific studies are required for an interconnection request whose size is equal to, or less than this minimum HC. In determining the minimum HC in this study, centralized and distributed HC analyses of PV interconnections in a test case of an existing distribution feeder based on five network parameters - voltage, voltage deviation, regulator deviation, line loading, and reverse power flow were calculated at peak and off-peak loading conditions of the feeder. Multiple HC scenarios were analyzed based on the mode of the PV interconnection, location of PV distribution, and type of PV distribution. Results from the study show that three minimum HC values are possible for every distribution feeder - one for centralized PV interconnection at single phase buses, a second for centralized PV interconnection at three phase buses, and a third for distributed PV interconnection. The results imply that the minimum HC a DSO applies for screening interconnection requests is dependent on the mode of PV interconnection in the request and the number of phases at the bus an interconnection is desired. The HC method developed in this study is comprehensive, yet simple and sufficient for a quick PV interconnection request screening at the distribution feeder level.