Assessment of Stress in Active Distribution Networks with Asset Dynamic Ratings

Abstract

Active distribution networks are vulnerable to random disturbances and the severity of stress of disturbances can be increased with dynamic rating of network assets, level of penetration of intermittent distributed generation (DG), and rise in customer demand. Increased stress in a distribution network can lead to major system disturbances including blackouts. This paper investigates this problem to assess how vulnerable the active networks to stresses arisen through random outages, dynamic variation of network asset ratings, demand rise, and high penetration of intermittent DG. The Monte Carlo simulation is the main driver of the assessment which incorporates dynamic rating of network assets through probabilistic modeling. The stress of the active network is recognizes as the product of network stress and the customer stress of not supplying the energy. A case study is performed and the results suggest that the active network stress can be buffered by the increased penetration of wind through strategic stations. The buffer is more effective at stressed operating conditions than the less stressed operating conditions.