Fairness for distribution network hosting capacity

TL;DR

This paper evaluates various fairness criteria in optimizing the hosting capacity of low-voltage distribution networks for distributed generation, highlighting the impact of topology and size on fairness and efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a multi-criteria fairness framework into hosting capacity optimization, analyzing its effects across different network topologies and sizes.

Findings

Bargaining and upper-bounded fairness balance efficiency and fairness effectively.

Feeder topology significantly affects fairness outcomes.

Feeder size influences total hosting capacity and fairness levels.

Abstract

The integration of distributed generation (DG) is essential to the energy transition but poses challenges for lowvoltage (LV) distribution networks (DNs) with limited hosting capacity (HC). This study incorporates multiple fairness criteria, utilitarian, egalitarian, bounded, and bargaining, into the HC optimisation framework to assess their impact. When applied to LV feeders of different sizes and topologies, the analysis shows that bargaining and upper-bounded fairness provide the best balance between efficiency and fairness. Efficiency refers to maximising the social welfare of the LV DNs, while fairness is proportional to the minimisation of disparity in opportunity for installing DG. Feeder topology significantly influences fairness outcomes, while feeder size affects total HC and the inherent fairness of feeders. These results emphasise the importance of regulatory incentives and network designs in order to facilitate fair and efficient DG integration.