Applying active network management schemes to an Irish distribution network for wind power maximisation

In order for governments worldwide to achieve their renewable targets, large amounts of new capacity, mainly wind power, need to be connected to power systems. A significant share is expected to be deployed at distribution levels. This paper is aimed at assessing the maximum wind power capacity a distribution network is able to integrate based on a multi-period AC Optimal Power Flow technique tailored to cater for Active Network Management schemes such as coordinated voltage control, adaptive power factor control and energy curtailment. The methodology is applied to an Irish 38kV circuit, considering the time-varying characteristics of demand and multiple wind generation profiles based on the coincident hours of different loading levels and wind power outputs over a year.