Impact of distributed generation in transmission network expansion planning problem

A novel meta-heuristic model for the multi-year transmission network expansion planning

The main goal of Transmission Network Expansion Planning (TNEP) is determination of the number, time and location of new lines to be added to transmission network. Up to now, different methods have been used to solve the static TNEP (STNEP). In most of them, this problem is implemented regardless of power loss and the uncertainty in the load demand. With respect to the importance of these two parameters (loss and uncertainty) and their key role in an effective and precise planning, the evaluation and solution of STNEP using more efficient methods can be very useful. Hence, in this paper, a new method named Improved Discrete Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm (IDABC) is employed for the solution of STNEP problem considering simultaneously the loss and uncertainty in load demand. Finally, the proposed approach is applied to the real transmission network of Azerbaijan Regional Electrical Company located in northwest of Iran. Comparison of the results obtained from the proposed method with those of Discrete Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm (DABC) approach verifies the effectiveness and accuracy of the method in STNEP problem.

The power systems are becoming more and more complex due to the inclusion of new components and increasing load demand. Consequently, it is imperative to incorporate additional generation units and transmission links into the system. Transmission Network Expansion Planning (TNEP) seeks to include generation units and transmission lines into the system at optimal locations and minimal costs. Mathematical techniques are extensively employed to address the problem. Nonetheless, mathematical methods necessitate extensive computation durations. Consequently, novel solution strategies are under investigation. The TNEP problem is characterized by an innovative and effective metaheuristic optimization techniques. This study presents a novel Opposition Based Learning and Fitness Distance Balance based Coati Optimization Algorithm (FDBCOA-OBL) designed to address Static and Dynamic TNEP problems. An extensive experimental investigation was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of the suggested method in addressing the benchmark test suites and the TNEP problem. The FDBCOA-OBL algorithm, utilizing the Elite OBL approach, surpassed all other comparative versions in addressing the benchmark test problems. The Wilcoxon analysis indicates that it lost 6 problems, tied in 110, and won 166 problems. The proposed approach resolved the TNEP problem in 6, 25, and 93-bus test systems. The Static TNEP solution was applied to the 6 and 25 bus test systems, while the Dynamic Multistage TNEP method was utilized in the 93-bus test system. The acquired investment expenses were compared to the research already documented in the literature. The findings indicate that the suggested method demonstrates robust performance.

Long term planning in power transmission network expansion provides a well ordered and profitable extension of power equipment and facilities to meet the expected electric energy demand with an allowable degree of reliability. However, high quality and improved reliability in energy supply have to be balanced with the available funds. The need to expand transmission network can never be over emphasized. Transmission Network Expansion Planning (TNEP) is a periodical measure that must be carried out due to dynamic societies that attract extra energy demands. It is highly important to minimize the network reinforcement and operational costs while satisfying the increase in demand imposed by technical and economic conditions over the planning horizon. Several optimization algorithms for TNEP problems have been developed and applied over the past decades. This paper presents a comprehensive state-of-the-art survey on the TNEP optimization algorithms. The approach of this paper is in the area of highlights of the various available TNEP algorithms, their applications, viability, computational complexities and drawbacks, which can aid in the identifications of the proper methods that can yield an optimal solution to TNEP problem.

The main goal of Transmission Network Expansion Planning (TNEP) is determination of the number, time and location of new lines to be added to transmission network. Up to now, different methods have been used to solve the static TNEP (STNEP). In most of them, this problem is implemented regardless of power loss and the uncertainty in the load demand. With respect to the importance of these two parameters (loss and uncertainty) and their key role in an effective and precise planning, the evaluation and solution of STNEP using more efficient methods can be very useful. Hence, in this paper, a new method named Improved Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization (IDPSO) is employed for the solution of STNEP problem considering simultaneously the loss and uncertainty in load demand. Finally, the proposed approach is applied to the real transmission network of Azerbaijan Regional Electrical Company located in northwest of Iran. Comparison of the results obtained from the proposed method with those of Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization (DPSO) approach verifies the effectiveness and accuracy of the method in STNEP problem.

Transmission network expansion planning (TNEP) has become increasingly challenging due to the worldwide transformation of power systems, with the fast deployment of renewable energies as one of the key drivers. Given current socio-environmental concerns, building new lines to integrate new renewable energy sources may take several years and has a significant risk of delays and cost overruns. A sound strategy to achieve a more adapted expansion plan is to include the option of uprating existing lines among planning candidates. This paper presents a novel model for multi-year stochastic TNEP considering line uprating options, such as line reconductoring, voltage uprating, and adding series compensation, along with adding new lines, simultaneously. Compared to adding new lines, line uprating can be performed with low out-of-time service and has lower socio-environmental impact, thus being a cost-effective alternative, especially in cases where acquiring new right-of-ways is difficult and expensive. Illustrative results demonstrate that including line uprating options within the TNEP problem allows us to obtain more economic expansion plans with fewer new line projects in comparison to traditional approaches. This in turn results in less environmental impact of the optimal expansion plan, which makes construction permissions easier to obtain, thus reducing the risk of having delays and cost overruns. Additionally, considering line uprating options also helps the integration of renewable energies by deferring investment decisions until more information regarding future development of renewable energies becomes available.

A reliable approach for solving the transmission network expansion planning problem using genetic algorithms

This paper presents, a static transmission network expansion planning (STNEP) with considering the pumped-storage (PS) unit, and the transmission switching (TS) concept. The aim of this work, is to minimize the total cost (TC) of the system. The TC is the summation of the transmission line cost (CTL) and the generation cost (GC) of thermal generating units. TS is a relatively new area of research which provides a path to the transmission system operator (TSO) to avoid generation expansion and transmission expansion. The addition of new lines increases the investment cost hence, now-a-days more renewable energy resources have been adopted by the TSO. The proposed STNEP problem is modelled using a DC power flow model. The performance of the proposed scheme is tested on the modified Garver 6-bus system. The results indicate that the combinatorial effect of PS unit and TS has reduced the total cost of the system notably.

Transmission network expansion planning (TNEP) is a key component of power system planning. Two important aspects to be considered in TNEP are economy and security factors, which are always contradictory and affect the benefits of both investment and power demand side, so the balance between these two factors needs to be focused. In this paper, a TNEP model based on coordinated economy and security is proposed so as to reconcile these two contradictory factors. The objective function of proposed TNEP model is to minimize the annual synthetic cost of transmission system, which contains investment cost, operation cost, maintenance cost and load shedding cost. The annual synthetic cost of transmission system is calculated with multistep load model established by load clustering using improved K-means algorithm. Then, an improved niche genetic algorithm is utilized to solve the TNEP model and an optimal scheme is obtained. Furthermore, the applicability and effectiveness of proposed TNEP model and algorithm are verified by case study on IEEE 24-bus system.

The transmission network expansion planning is necessary for supplying the future needs, considering load growth. Furthermore, in restructured environments, transmission lines provide the required infrastructure for creating a competitive environment. In recent years, there has been a significant advancement in storage technologies. This advancement leads to using energy storage systems to postpone the construction or replacement of transmission lines. Therefore, in this paper, the problems of transmission expansion planning and energy storage systems deployment are investigated simultaneously. Considering the presence of storage devices and their effect on network operation cost, in this paper, the operation cost is modeled as an independent objective function along with investment cost. Moreover, the problems of transmission and storage expansion planning are modeled as a tri-objective optimization problem with the objectives of reducing costs and increasing the social welfare index in the power market. The multi-objective shuffled frog leaping evolutionary algorithm is used to solve these problems. The presented model for expansion planning is implemented and analyzed on IEEE 24-bus test system in the presence and absence of energy storage systems, and the effect of change in the price of energy storage systems is studied. The results of this research show that as the technology advances and the storage costs decrease, energy storage systems can play a pivotal role in reducing expansion planning costs of the power network and improving market-based indices in the restructured environment.

Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) optimization algorithm has captured much attention of researchers from various fields, in recent times. Moreover, various comparative studies clearly reports robust convergence of ABC algorithm than other bio-inspired optimization algorithms. Nevertheless, like other optimization algorithms, ABC suffers from slower convergence and tendency towards local optima trappings. Therefore, various amendments have been proposed to avertthe flaws of ABC algorithm. Nonetheless, the variants are either computationally intensive or could not avert the flaws of the algorithms. Hence, this research work proposes an efficient variant of ABC algorithm. The proposed variant capitalizes on the global-best food-source. The proposed variant has been compared with various existing variants of ABC algorithm on a few benchmark functions. Significance of the proposed variant has also been analyzed statistically. Results show the best convergence of the proposed variant among all the compared optimization algorithms on all benchmark functions.

This paper presents a metaheuristic approach to solve the transmission network expansion planning (TNEP) problem considering non-conventional solution candidates. The TNEP consists on finding the set of new elements required in a power system to meet a given future demand at a minimum cost. The TNEP traditionally considers as candidate solutions the addition of new lines and transformers. The main contribution of this work is the inclusion of non-conventional solution candidates. Such non-conventional solution candidates are namely: repowering of existing circuits and reactive shunt compensation. Also, an AC modeling of the network that allows obtaining more realistic results than the traditional DC model has been considered. The TNEP is represented by means of a non linear mixed integer programming problem which is solved through a hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA). Several tests were performed on two benchmark power systems to show the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach.

This paper presents a mathematical model and a methodology to solve a transmission network expansion planning problem considering open access. The methodology finds the optimal transmission network expansion plan that allows the power system to operate adequately in an environment with multiples generation scenarios. The model presented is solved using a specialized genetic algorithm. The methodology is tested in a system from the literature.

This paper addresses the usefulness of Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) optimization algorithm for assessment of distribution system reliability. The penalty cost functions are formulated which is related to the failure rate and repair time of each distribution segment. And also, satisfy the reliability constraint such as SAIFI, SAIDI, CAIDI and AENS. The finest values of failure rate and repair time cost function are evaluated using ABC algorithm for reliability enhancement. The performance comparison between ABC and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm also has been done in this paper. In addition, for showing the effectiveness of proposed methodology the numerical results have been compared to the different intelligent techniques that are available in the published literature.

Guest Editorial: Situational awareness of integrated energy systems