A model to identify network reinforcement due to connection of distributed generation

The growing need for competition in the utility and energy markets and government´s policy on the inclusion of DGs in the future generation mix in South Africa will potentially mean that the numbers of generators being connected within distribution networks will increase significantly. The connections of distributed generation (DG) to the distribution networks possess a lot of technical impacts. Accurate placement of DGs on the distribution network reduces unnecessary investment costs. This paper presents a model to identify network reinforcement due to DG connection. A case study is presented to illustrate this using a part of the South African distribution network.