Novel architectures and operation modes of distribution network to increase DG integration

Nowadays, distribution networks are facing tremendous challenges. Actually, the opening of the energy market, the wish to preserve the environment and the reduction of fossil energy stocks have lead to use more and more distributed, renewable and local energy resources, such as wind and photovoltaic generators. These generating units are mostly connected to the distribution networks. With the increase of the penetration rate of these generation facilities, the traditional operation as well as planning of the concerned networks may need to evolve. In order to face this situation and offer increased network capabilities to support these new technologies, the distribution network has to switch to a flexible and smart network. To achieve these goals, two research paths are considered: the new architectures and the development of intelligent embedded systems. This paper deals with new architectures and particularly partially meshed distribution networks. It proposes a Monte Carlo algorithm as an efficient tool for analysing and assessing the relationship between grid architecture and DG penetration rate. Simulation results on a real urban French distribution networks have showed the effectiveness of the method with respect to grid planning. Particularly, it has demonstrated that evolving distribution grid architectures towards a partially and adapted meshed structure increases DG penetration level.