Search Results (8)

In response to China’s “Dual Carbon” goals, this paper proposes a Transmission Network Expansion Planning (TNEP) model that explicitly incorporates the operational flexibility of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). Unlike conventional approaches that focus mainly on transmission investment, the proposed method accounts for the aggregated dispatchable capability of VPPs, providing a more accurate representation of distributed resources. The VPP aggregation model is characterized by the inclusion of electric vehicles, which act not only as load-side demand but also as flexible energy storage units through vehicle-to-grid interaction. By coordinating EV charging/discharging with photovoltaics, wind generation, and other distributed resources, the VPP significantly enhances system flexibility and provides essential support for grid operation. The vertex search method is employed to delineate the boundary of the VPP’s dispatchable feasible region, from which an equivalent model is established to capture its charging, discharging, and energy storage characteristics. This model is then integrated into the TNEP framework, which minimizes the comprehensive cost, including annualized line investment and the operational costs of both the VPP and the power grid. The resulting non-convex optimization problem is solved using the Quantum Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO) algorithm. A case study based on the Garver-6 bus and Garver-18 bus systems demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach. The results show that, compared with traditional planning methods, strategically located VPPs can save up to 6.65% in investment costs. This VPP-integrated TNEP scheme enhances system flexibility, improves economic efficiency, and strengthens operational security by smoothing load profiles and optimizing power flows, thereby offering a more reliable and sustainable planning solution. Full article

The efficient planning of electric power systems is essential to meet both the current and future energy demands. In this context, reinforcement learning (RL) has emerged as a promising tool for control problems modeled as Markov decision processes (MDPs). Recently, its application has been extended to the planning and operation of power systems. This study provides a systematic review of advances in the application of RL and deep reinforcement learning (DRL) in this field. The problems are classified into two main categories: Operation planning including optimal power flow (OPF), economic dispatch (ED), and unit commitment (UC) and expansion planning, focusing on transmission network expansion planning (TNEP) and distribution network expansion planning (DNEP). The theoretical foundations of RL and DRL are explored, followed by a detailed analysis of their implementation in each planning area. This includes the identification of learning algorithms, function approximators, action policies, agent types, performance metrics, reward functions, and pertinent case studies. Our review reveals that RL and DRL algorithms outperform conventional methods, especially in terms of efficiency in computational time. These results highlight the transformative potential of RL and DRL in addressing complex challenges within power systems. Full article

The electrical energy demand increase does evolve rapidly due to several socioeconomic factors such as industrialisation, population growth, urbanisation and, of course, the evolution of modern technologies in this 4th industrial revolution era. Such a rapid increase in energy demand introduces a huge challenge into the power system, which has paved way for network operators to seek alternative energy resources other than the conventional fossil fuel system. Hence, the penetration of renewable energy into the electricity supply mix has evolved rapidly in the past three decades. However, the grid system has to be well planned ahead to accommodate such an increase in energy demand in the long run. Transmission Network Expansion Planning (TNEP) is a well ordered and profitable expansion of power facilities that meets the expected electric energy demand with an allowable degree of reliability. This paper proposes a DC TNEP model that minimises the capital costs of additional transmission lines, network reinforcements, generator operation costs and the costs of renewable energy penetration, while satisfying the increase in demand. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem. The developed model was tested in several IEEE test systems in multi-period scenarios. We also carried out a detailed derivation of the new non-negative variables in terms of the power flow magnitudes, the bus voltage phase angles and the lines’ phase angles for proper mixed integer variable decomposition techniques. Moreover, we intend to provide additional recommendations in terms of in which particular year (within a 20 year planning period) can the network operators install new line(s), new corridor(s) and/or additional generation capacity to the respective existing power networks. This is achieved by running incremental period simulations from the base year through the planning horizon. The results show the efficacy of the developed model in solving the TNEP problem with a reduced and acceptable computation time, even for large power grid system. Full article

The complexity and uncertainty of power sources connected to transmission networks need to be considered. Planners need information on the sustainability and economics of transmission network expansion planning (TNEP). This work presents a newly proposed method for TNEP that considers high-penetration solar energy by using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The power sources, thermal and hydropower plants, and conditions of load were set in the account, including an uncertain power source and solar energy (PV). The optimal sizing and locating of the PV to be connected to the network were determined by the PSO. The PV grid code was set in the account. The new line’s investment cost and equipment was analyzed. The PV cost was considered based on the power loss, and the system’s reliability was improved. The IEEE 118 bus test system and Lao PDR’s system were requested to test the proposed practice. The results demonstrate that the proposed TNEP method is robust and feasible. The simulation results will be applied to guide the power system planning of Lao PDR. Full article

This paper presents a multi-agent Double Deep Q Network (DDQN) based on deep reinforcement learning for solving the transmission network expansion planning (TNEP) of a high-penetration renewable energy source (RES) system considering uncertainty. First, a K-means algorithm that enhances the extraction quality of variable wind and load power uncertain characteristics is proposed. Its clustering objective function considers the cumulation and change rate of operation data. Then, based on the typical scenarios, we build a bi-level TNEP model that includes comprehensive cost, electrical betweenness, wind curtailment and load shedding to evaluate the stability and economy of the network. Finally, we propose a multi-agent DDQN that predicts the construction value of each line through interaction with the TNEP model, and then optimizes the line construction sequence. This training mechanism is more traceable and interpretable than the heuristic-based methods. Simultaneously, the experience reuse characteristic of multi-agent DDQN can be implemented in multi-scenario TNEP tasks without repeated training. Simulation results obtained in the modified IEEE 24-bus system and New England 39-bus system verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Full article

Compared with static transmission network expansion planning (TNEP), multi-stage TNEP is more in line with the actual situation, but the modeling is also more complicated. This paper proposes a new multi-stage TNEP method based on the deep Q-network (DQN) algorithm, which can solve the multi-stage TNEP problem based on a static TNEP model. The main purpose of this research is to provide grid planners with a simple and effective multi-stage TNEP method, which is able to flexibly adjust the network expansion scheme without replanning. The proposed method takes into account the construction sequence of lines in the planning and completes the adaptive planning of lines by utilizing the interactive learning characteristics of the DQN algorithm. In order to speed up the learning efficiency of the algorithm and enable the agent to have a better judgment on the reward of the line-building action, the prioritized experience replay (PER) strategy is added to the DQN algorithm. In addition, the economy, reliability, and flexibility of the expansion scheme are considered in order to evaluate the scheme more comprehensively. The fault severity of equipment is considered on the basis of the Monte Carlo method to obtain a more comprehensive system state simulation. Finally, extensive studies are conducted with IEEE 24-bus reliability test system, and the computational results demonstrate the effectiveness and adaptability of the proposed flexible TNEP method. Full article

This paper introduces a multi-stage dynamic transmission network expansion planning (MSDTNEP) model considering the N-1 reliability constraint. The integrated planning problem of N-1 security and transmission expansion planning is essential because a single line outage could be a triggering event to rolling blackouts. Two suggested scenarios were developed to obtain the optimal configuration of the Egyptian West Delta Network’s realistic transmission (WDN) to meet the demand of the potential load growth and ensure the system reliability up to the year 2040. The size of a blackout, based on the amount of expected energy not supplied, was calculated to evaluate both scenarios. The load forecasting (up to 2040) was obtained based on an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system because it gives excellent results compared to conventional methods. The linear population size reduction—Success-History-based Differential Evolution with semi-parameter adaptation (LSHADE-SPA) hybrid—covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA-ES) algorithm (LSHADE-SPACMA)—is applied to solve the problem. The semi-adaptive nature of LSHADE-SPACMA and the hybridization between LSHADE and CMA-ES are able to solve complex optimization problems. The performance of LSHADE-SPACMA in solving the problem is compared to other well-established methods using three testing systems to validate its superiority. Then, the MSDTNEP of the Egyptian West Delta Network is presented, and the numerical results of the two scenarios are compared to obtain an economic plan and avoid a partial or total blackout. Full article

This paper presents a flexible transmission network expansion planning (TNEP) approach considering uncertainty. A novel hybrid clustering technique, which integrates the graph partitioning method and rough fuzzy clustering, is proposed to cope with uncertain renewable generation and load demand. The proposed clustering method is capable of recognizing the actual cluster distribution of complex datasets and providing high-quality clustering results. By clustering the hourly data for renewable generation and load demand, a multi-scenario model is proposed to consider the corresponding uncertainties in TNEP. Furthermore, due to the peak distribution characteristics of renewable generation and heavy investment in transmission, the traditional TNEP, which caters to rated renewable power output, is usually uneconomic. To improve the economic efficiency, the multi-objective optimization is incorporated into the multi-scenario TNEP model, while the curtailment of renewable generation is considered as one of the optimization objectives. The solution framework applies a modified NSGA-II algorithm to obtain a set of Pareto optimal planning schemes with different levels of investment costs and renewable generation curtailments. Numerical results on the IEEE RTS-24 system demonstrated the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed approach. Full article