Multi-Objective Grid Planning for Renewable Energy Integration

The electric power grid is undergoing significant changes in the mix of generation source types. The increasing penetration of renewable energy resources (RERs), such as wind and solar, is improving energy efficiency, but meanwhile it is also challenging grid planners and operators to maintain reliable electricity services. The high penetration of RERs may drive the power grid toward weak grid conditions, which may cause grid stability and reliability issues. One of ways to address these issues is to select appropriate points of interconnection for integrating RERs into power grids. In previous works, grid stability analysis and grid reliability assessment are evaluated separately for selecting the points of interconnection. This paper presents an integrated method for selecting such points by coordinating grid strength assessment and grid reliability evaluation as well as investment cost. The efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated on the IEEE reliability test system.