Large-scale estimation of electricity distribution grid reinforcement requirements for the energy transition – A 2030 Spanish case study

L. Herding, M. Pérez-Bravo, R. Barrella, R. Cossent, M. Rivier

Energy Reports Vol. 12, pp. 5432 - 5444

Summary:

The increasing interest in distributed energy resources (DER) challenges electricity distribution grids to host the required distributed generation (DG) capacities and the expected load increase from electrification. However, a large-scale estimation of costs for integrating DER into low, medium, and high voltage distribution networks has yet to be addressed. This paper contributes a model for the large-scale estimation of the impact of distributed generation, electric vehicles and heat pumps on network reinforcement requirements. The model allocates future DER geographically to 8000 Spanish peninsular municipalities. The large-scale model considers low, medium and high voltage distribution grids. The resulting distribution grid investment is determined via individualised reinforcement costs for each of the 47 peninsular Spanish provinces, distinguishing between urban, semi-urban, rural concentrated and rural dispersed configurations of distribution networks. A 2030 case study shows that the geographical allocation of DG is not aligned with the allocation of load electrification, leading to total investment requirements of 2627 MEUR. This finding points out that distribution system operators covering different parts of the territory are likely to face a variety of challenges that are not aligned across the territories, requiring regulation to account for a variation of distribution grid expansion requirements for the energy transition.

Spanish layman's summary:

Este trabajo propone un modelo para estimar el impacto a gran escala de los recursos energéticos distribuidos (DER) en redes de distribución. El modelo asigna geográficamente futuros DER a 8,000 municipios españoles y evalúa costes de refuerzo en distintos niveles de tensión y tipos de red, destacando desafíos regionales.

English layman's summary:

This paper proposes a model to estimate large-scale impacts of distributed energy resources (DER) on distribution grids. The model geographically allocates future DER to 8,000 Spanish municipalities, assessing reinforcement costs across voltage levels and network types, highlighting region-specific challenges.

Keywords: Distribution grids; Distributed generation; Electric vehicles; Heat pumps

JCR Impact Factor and WoS quartile: 4,700 - Q2 (2023)

DOI reference: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.11.026

Published on paper: December 2024.

Published on-line: November 2024.

Citation:
L. Herding, M. Pérez-Bravo, R. Barrella, R. Cossent, M. Rivier, Large-scale estimation of electricity distribution grid reinforcement requirements for the energy transition – A 2030 Spanish case study. Energy Reports. Vol. 12, pp. 5432 - 5444, December 2024. [Online: November 2024]