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 location and 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:
Grid Extension Costs (₹ lakh/yr)
100% grid availability
Distribution Network: 66
Energy: 46
Total:
50% grid availability
Distribution Network: 66
Energy + Outages: 110
Total:
Source: MIT

20. Sensitivity study for an individual system: Demand.
Generation Site
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. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Thank you for coming!
Claudio Vergara, PhD.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
With the collaboration of