Photovoltaic power plants influence on distribution network expansion planning

The renewable sources´ influence on the distribution network expansion planning is tackled. The optimal expansion solution and other alternatives (quasi-optimal) are analyzed and a final one is proposed. Network reconfiguration and N-1 contingencies are performed. The power flow is computed using conventional methods, but the optimal power flow and distribution network expansion are performed using genetic algorithms (GA). Thus, the authors have developed an own software tool in Matlab environment.