Long-term Planning of Electricity Distribution Systems Integrating Flexibility Options

This paper presents the application of a long-term distribution system planning tool, Smart Sizing to a Belgian distribution system. The tool takes into account smart technologies such as load flexibility during the planning stage. In addition to the traditional decision variables in planning like the number of substations, transformers, feeder size etc. the Smart Sizing tool includes the type of flexibility, the flexibility profile etc. as the decision variables. A set of cases are analysed to show some of the features of the tool. In case 1, no smart technologies are used. In case 2, the tool can decide to contract load flexibility to reduce the investment in electrical equipment. In case 3, load shedding can be activated.