Flexibility-based expansion planning of active distribution networks considering optimal operation of multi-community integrated energy systems

Large-scale integration of distributed renewable energy into active distribution networks leads to a dramatic increase in flexibility requirements, and multi-community integrated energy systems may become important flexibility supplies owing to their multi-energy synergistic and complementary advantages. To fully utilize their flexible regulation potential, a flexibility-based hierarchical expansion planning model for active distribution networks considering optimal operation of multi-community integrated energy systems is proposed. In this model, the network and supply-demand flexibilities are integrated at the investment level to determine the installation types, locations, and capacities of distributed energy resources and power networks, and an interaction mechanism based on insufficient flexibility risk is designed at operating level to optimize operation strategies and balance flexibility and economy. Considering the renewable uncertainties, a model-free scenario generation method is introduced to capture the renewable seasonal and daily output characteristics without relying on complicated explicit feature modeling. Finally, a distributed iterative solution method is devised based on analytical target cascading theory. Simulations on a 54-node distribution system show the proposed approach utilizes the flexibility of multi-community integrated energy systems to reduce the configuration needs of active distribution networks for other flexible resources, improving the overall system economy and promoting renewable consumption.