Optimal Connection Phase Selection of Residential Distributed Energy Resources and its Impact on Aggregated Demand

TL;DR

This paper proposes a practical method for selecting the optimal connection phase of residential distributed energy resources to reduce distribution system operational costs and positively influence aggregated demand, validated through real-world Belgian network simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach for phase connection optimization of DERs to minimize operational costs and assess its impact on higher voltage level demand.

Findings

Optimal phase selection reduces distribution system costs.

Distribution management efforts significantly impact aggregated demand.

Method proves effective on real Belgian network data.

Abstract

The recent major increase in decentralized energy resources (DERs) such as photovoltaic (PV) panels alters the loading profile of distribution systems (DS) and impacts higher voltage levels. Distribution system operators (DSOs) try to manage the deployment of new DERs to decrease the operational costs. However, DER location and size are factors beyond any DSO's reach. This paper presents a practical method to minimize the DS operational costs due to new DER deployments, through optimal selection of their connection phase. The impact of such distribution grid management efforts on aggregated demand for higher voltage levels is also evaluated and discussed in this paper. Simulation results on a real-life Belgian network show the effectiveness of optimal connection phase selection in decreasing DS operational costs, and the considerable impact of such simple DS management efforts on the aggregated demand.