| PhD Viva

Name of the Speaker: Mr. Aprajay Verma (EE16D210)
Guide: Prof. Swarup K S
Online meeting link: https://meet.google.com/jex-iqnu-fmj
Date/Time: 19th November 2024 (Tuesday), 3:00 PM
Title: Distribution Planning for a Monopolistic Utility Considering Reliability and Dynamic Line Rating

Abstract :

The distribution system is operated as a regulated monopoly. Distribution planning and operation decisions need to be cognizant of the regulatory environment. Hence, this thesis discusses distribution planning under various regulatory paradigms. The regulator, arbitrating for the customer, ensures fair tariff and appropriate service quality of the end user. The reliability of end customer is an important service quality parameter. Since reliability is dependent upon network topology, reliability evaluation, which is usually computationally cumbersome, needs to be incorporated into the formulation of distribution planning. Hence, a computationally tractable simulation based algorithm to evaluate Probability Distribution Function (PDF) of reliability metrics is proposed. The utility incorporates asset optimization techniques like Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) and Distributed Generation (DG) to reduce operating costs. Considering all these factors, this thesis proposes an analytical reliability evaluation based formulation, and the results are compared with a proposed computationally tractable simulation based algorithm. Adoption of DLR is discussed, and applications based on real-time redispatch due to forecast errors in transmission systems, through decomposition and sequential conic relaxation based techniques, and deferring of feeder installation in distribution systems is proposed. A sequential game represented by regulator, utility, and Distribution Generation Company (DGENCO) is formulated, and the effects of various regulatory policy on investment decisions by utility are explored. The thesis combines various aspects of distribution planning into an integrated framework that can be used by regulators and utilities to make their respective strategic decisions.