A topological reconfiguration procedure for maximising local consumption of renewable energy in (Italian) active distribution networks

Distribution networks (DNs) are facing great changes, due to the strong increase in distributed generation (DG), often driven by renewable energy sources. Designed to deliver electrical power from the transmission system to the final consumers, they are now becoming active and may inject power into the transmission network. In case of large DN, a portion of the system can be absorbing power from the transmission grid, while another portion injects power into it. In order to satisfy the power balance as much as possible at the local level, the distribution system operators are interested in the minimisation of the power exchange with the transmission network, maximising the local consumption of DG energy. This paper presents a topological reconfiguration procedure, based on the branch exchange technique, for the maximisation of the local consumption of renewable energy. A case study is presented, based on a real DN located in northern Italy. © 2016 Taylor & Francis.