Optimal expansion planning of distribution network with high penetration of distributed energy resources

Due to climate change and environmental concerns related to greenhouse gas emissions by fossil-fuel-based power plants, the integration of renewable Distributed Energy Resources (DER) into Distribution Networks (DNs) has significantly increased in the last decade on a global scale. Despite the benefits offered by renewable distributed generation technologies, several economic and
technical challenges can result from an inappropriate integration of distributed generation in existing DNs. Therefore, optimal DNs expansion and reinforcement planning considering high penetration of DER are of paramount importance to ensure that the performance of DNs can meet the expected power quality, power loss reduction, reliability, and profitability. A mathematical model for stochastic planning of the optimal expansion of DNs including renewable distributed generation and smart grid technologies will be developed in this research. This study focuses on the multi-objective optimization methods where reliability, grid losses, investment costs, and uncertainties are considered.