A simple and efficient method for fast analysis of renewable generation connection to active distribution networks

•The paper introduces a tool to study the connection of a distributed generation.•The tool can handle voltage and current constraints and study “no grid” solutions.•Time series of generation, load, etc.… are used as inputs in the calculations.•A clustering based method allows speeding up the calculation of up to a 100 factor.•The method is validated against a sequential load flow with very good results.

This paper introduces a new method to analyze the connection of an intermittent generation unit to an active distribution network. This method permits the assessment of the voltage/current constraints that the unit might generate during its operation, and also the study of various smart solutions, alternative to grid reinforcement, like advanced voltage regulation schemes or generation curtailment. To do that, time series are used as inputs (for generation profiles, load profiles on the studied network, etc.…) but a clustering technique is employed to generate a limited number of equivalent scenarios in order to reduce the number of points for which a load flow is calculated. This clustering technique allows a significant reduction of the computation time, thus making it possible to simulate very effectively one or multiple years of operation of the distributed generation (DG) unit(s) in a network. These simulations give useful results such as critical yearly quantities (like for instance losses or energy curtailed) that can be used to perform a proper technical and economic analysis.Two clustering methods are presented: the first neglects any form of correlation between the input time series, whereas the second makes it possible to consider the effect of possible correlations between load and generation. When the second method is used, the time series of the outputs (like energy curtailed, or the voltage at a given point in the network) can also be reconstructed with a good accuracy.