Planning of Future-Proof Residential LV Networks

Accommodating very high penetrations of residential rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and electric vehicles (EVs) is challenging for distribution companies. When these technologies are used in existing low voltage (LV) networks, designed originally to cater for typical demand, the new power flows due to PV generation and EV charging can lead to voltage rise/drop problems as well as asset congestion. Given the global trends in PV and EV uptakes, this paper investigates the cost-effective design of brand-new LV residential distribution networks that can host all houses with PV systems and EVs, i.e., 100% PV and EV penetrations. A multi-period, three-phase Optimal Power Flow (OPF)-based methodology (formulated as a non-linear programming problem) is proposed and demonstrated on a realistic Australian neighborhood with 31 single-phase houses (customers). Considering different planning alternatives commercially available to distribution companies and realistic capital expenditure, results show that the combination of suitable conductors sizes and adequately positioning of off-load tap changer is the most economical design to ensure 100% PV and EV penetrations. This suggests that conventional approaches should be considered to ensure the cost-effective future-proof design of new neighborhoods.