Resiliency-oriented dynamic expansion planning of MG-based distribution networks

High-Impact Low-Probability (HILP) events are the ever-increasing threats against distribution networks (DNs). Boosting DN resilience can be achieved by such measures as redundancy increment by substation allocation, feeder routing from less affected area, design of reconfigurable multi-MicroGrid based (MGs) DN and deployment of different distributed generation sources (DGs). This paper proposes an approach for designing resilient DNs by posing the problem as a dynamic modeling of bi-level resilient DN expansion planning (RDEP) program. In the upper level of the RDEP, distribution company (DisCo) identifies the optimal eco-reliable planning and operation of different assets, while in the lower level, DisCo determines the optimal operation point of the expanded DN against the specified HILP. The uncertainties of renewable energy resources, electric load and its market price and ZIP modeling, well incorporate into the problem. To evaluate the effectiveness of RDEP, computer simulation is done on a large scale 138-bus DN and the results are discussed.