The IGREENGrid Project: Increasing Hosting Capacity in Distribution Grids

The standard long-term solution to increase the capacity of electricity networks to connect additional generation is grid reinforcement, but this kind of approach is too slow and costly to respond effectively to DRESs. Several alternative solutions are currently under development, including controlling DRES active and reactive power generation, managing flexible demand, and smart charging electric vehicles. These alternatives can be rapidly implemented in a cost-effective way as temporary solutions solve local constraints until the tendencies of generation consumption growth in the area become clearer. Regarding continuous local increases, the reinforcement of the network will take place considering the real necessities appeared, but if the zone remains stable, smart grid alternatives (such as DRES control and energy storage), proposed as temporary, can be settled a long-term solution. After classifying the solutions by the problem they solve and determining which are the most promising for DRES integration, many elements should be taken into account: problem relevance, the applicability of each solution to the real grids, cost, complexity, prerequisites (including skills and tools for planning and asset management), environmental impact, and customer acceptance. A list of parameters and key performance indicators to measure the main aspects involved in the selection process was studied, but finally there is one indicator standing out from all the others: increasing hosting capacity (HC).