Dynamic curtailment method for renewable energy sources in distribution grid planning

Abstract

A significant expansion of the power grid in Germany can be reduced, if a certain amount of the annual renewable generation is curtailed. This paper presents an approach for an optimal dynamic curtailment of renewable energy sources in meshed distribution grids. Here, the particular power feed-in is limited only if the thermal constraint of a certain line is reached. The method is specifically directed to reduce the power, which causes the thermal constraint. Therefore, new distribution factors are formulated based on the AC power flow equation. The impact of the proposed method will be analyzed with a probabilistic approach on a real German high voltage distribution grid, while taking into account the further increase of renewable energy sources. The proposed method shows high potential for reducing and optimizing the classical grid extension. The cost of the German Energy Turnaround can be minimized since the curtailed energy is low compared to the reduced transport capacity.