Distribution network hosting capacity calculation enhancement through time series analysis and performance index
I. Taczi, B. Tozser, I. Vokony Department of Electrical Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest (Hungary)   2026-02-15

Abstract

The increasingly ambitious renewable energytargets highlight the system integration of intermittent generation as an important research area. Achieving these targets poses a significant challenge for distribution system operators and transmission system operators all around the world. The human resource shortage and time constraints faced by network operators further exacerbate these issues, and as a result, conventional network development solutions do not always provide the optimal solution.
The solution to the problem is not solely to be found in new tools. Calculation methods for hosting capacity usually relies on worst case scenario assumptions and artificial system states in practice. In this paper different hosting capacity calculation methods were evaluated to provide specific insight to the characteristic differences. The role of serial voltage regulators and conventional network development tools were also assessed. The paper covers the additional capacity that can be unlocked through network development tools. The methods are compared through time series deterministic load flow simulations for both the base network and certain network development scenarios.

Key words: Hosting Capacity, Network development, renewable generation, Voltage fluctuations, Serial voltage regulator

References

[1] MAVIR PV statistics data available: https://mavir.hu/web/mavir/ver-napi-heti-havi-eves-adatok last accessed: 2025.04.14

[2] RepowerEU available: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_1511 last accessed: 2025.04.14

[3] National Energy and Climate Plan available: https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2023-09/HUNGARY%20-%20DRAFT%20UPDATED%20NECP%202021-2030%20_HU.pdf last accessed: 2025.04.14

[4] H. H. H. Mousa, K. Mahmoud and M. Lehtonen, "A Comprehensive Review on Recent Developments of Hosting Capacity Estimation and Optimization for Active Distribution Networks," in IEEE Access, vol. 12, pp. 18545-18593, 2024, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3359431

[5] F. Ding and B. Mather, "On distributed PV hosting capacity estimation sensitivity study, and improvement, " IEEE Trans. Sustain. Energy, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 1010–1020, Jul. 2017, DOI: 10.1109/TSTE.2016.2640239

[6] N. Qamar, A. Arshad, K Mahmoud, M. Lehtonen, "Hosting capacity in distribution grids: A review of definitions, performance indices, determination methodologies, and enhancement techniques", Energy Science & Engineering, volt 11. issue 4., 2023 DOI: 10.1002/ese3.1389

[7] F. Ebe1, B. Idlbi, J. Morris, G. Heilscher, F. Meier, "Evaluation of PV hosting capacities of distribution grids with utilisation of solar roof potential analyses", CIRED Conference Proceeding, 2017 DOI: 10.1049/oap-cired.2017.0848

[8] M. Rylander, J. Smith and W. Sunderman, "Streamlined Method for Determining Distribution System Hosting Capacity," in IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 105-111, Jan.-Feb. 2016 DOI: 10.1109/TIA.2015.2472357

[9] Simbench available: https://simbench.de/en/ last accessed: 2025.04.14

[10] L. Thurner et al., "Pandapower—An Open-Source Python Tool for Convenient Modeling, Analysis, and Optimization of Electric Power Systems," in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 6510-6521, Nov. 2018,DOI: 10.1109/TPWRS.2018.2829021