The Influence of Distributed Generation Units Penetration in the Technical Planning Process of Electrical Distribution Networks

The technical planning process, performed by distribution network operators (DNOs) in order to determine the necessary reinforcements in the electrical distribution networks, is strongly affected by the demand forecasting methodologies adopted. Such methodologies aim to correlate consumers' behavior/environmental variables with the power necessary to supply the consumers. In this context, the level of connected distributed generation units (DGs) has been incorporated into the demand forecasting methodologies. Brazilian electricity policies allow DNOs to consider the DGs intrinsic limitations (for example, seasonality and reliability aspects) in their demand forecasting methodologies. However, the regulatory laws do not allow DNOs to consider the external aspects involved in distributed generation process. Therefore, this paper proposes an improvement in the technical planning process guidelines, in order to consider the external aspects mentioned above.