Network Expansion Planning with Renewable Resources and Storage

In this paper, we present a methodology and computational tool to help design power networks with renewable resources and storage to be more secure and reliable. Our study investigates both traditional networks and micro-grids that may incorporate renewable energy sources like solar panels and batteries. The methodology is based on using a DC optimal power flow (DC-OPF) at the time of peak demand to carry out an outage study. Virtual generators (VG) are added at load nodes to represent load-sheds that may occur when lines are at their limits or when existing generators do not have enough capacity to supply the load. If generation is less than demand plus spinning reserve, then the system needs generation reinforcement, which is carried out at available candidate nodes, and sequentially added at nodes with the highest local marginal price (LMP). However, when the system has enough generators, and load sheds still occurs, or VG are used, then line reinforcements are needed, and the line selected for reinforcement is the one having the highest difference in LMP across its terminals during the outage study. Once the network is deemed adequate as per the DC-OPF, we analyze it using an AC-OPF to assess its reactive power capability to supply the load and add static-VAr-compensation (SVC) if needed. The developed computational tool uses MATPOWER to carry out the DC-OPF and AC-OPF and was tested on the IEEE 5, 30, and 118 bus.