Importance of Aggregated DER Installed Capacity in Distribution Networks

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes the importance of aggregated DER capacity at LV points for improving distribution network management amid increasing DER integration.

Contribution

It proposes a scalable method to estimate aggregated DER capacity using existing measurements, enhancing operational and planning decisions.

Findings

Aggregated DER capacity estimation improves DER awareness.

Enhanced capacity knowledge supports better forecasting and congestion management.

Method leverages existing substation and feeder measurements.

Abstract

The increasing penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), particularly electric vehicles, heat pumps, and photovoltaic systems, is fundamentally changing power flows in Low-Voltage (LV) distribution networks. Despite this transition, Distribution System Operators (DSOs) often lack reliable and up-to-date knowledge of the DER capacity connected downstream of LV substations. Limited observability, incomplete topology information, and restricted access to customer-level data make it difficult to maintain accurate DER registries, creating uncertainty in both operational and planning processes. This paper presents aggregated DER installed capacity, estimated at LV aggregation points, as a practical and scalable approach to improving DER awareness without requiring customer-level monitoring. We define the problem of estimating DER installed capacities from commonly available substation and feeder measurements. By linking these estimates to operational and planning needs, we discuss how knowledge of aggregated DER installed capacity enhances DER-aware forecasting, congestion management, flexibility quantification, hosting capacity assessment, and monitoring of DER adoption.