A Planning Model For Distributed Energy Resources Considering Coordinating with the Water Desalination Operator

This paper proposes a linear planning model for determining the optimal sizing and location of distributed energy resources (DERs) to supply the electrical demand and water desalination facilities (WDFs) while maximizing overall profits for the distribution system operator (DSO). The DERs considered in this research comprise distributed renewable energy resources (RESs), distributed thermal generators (TGs), and battery energy storage system (BESS). Furthermore, the proposed model incorporates coordination between the DSO and the water desalination operator (WDO) in the operation aspect to investigate the effects on the optimal sizing and location of DERs as well as the overall profits to the DSO. The proposed model is validated using a 38-bus radial distribution network. Simulation results indicate that considering coordination increased the overall profits to DSO by 6.8%. Moreover, without coordination, additional BESS is required to be installed in the bus where WDFs are located to smooth the electric load profile. However, the coordination eliminates the need for installing BESS as the coordination can smooth the electric load profile by managing the desalination operational schedules.