A bilevel planning method of active distribution system for renewable energy harvesting in a deregulated environment

With the unbundling of power sector, the conflicting interests between different market entities (e.g. distribution company (DISCO) and DG owner (DGO)) can raise huge barriers for exploitation of renewable energies in an active distribution systems (ADS). To address this issue, a bilevel planning approach as a possible solution is presented in this study. The model considers the decision-making of DISCO in the upper-level, which seeks the minimization of overall payments. The optimization is constrained by the reaction of DGO in the lower-level which pursues maximum profits obtainable from DG investment. Multiple active network management (ANM) schemes, including voltage regulation, real-time network reconfiguration, and demand response, have been considered. The proposed problem is solved using an evolutionary algorithm along with the dynamic optimal power flow. Numerical results based on a 33-bus distribution system verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.