The Method of Multi-criteria Analysis to Support the Decision on Load or Micro-generation Connection to a Low- or Medium-voltage Power Grid

Abstract

This paper presents a method that supports the decision in terms on selecting the best option of a load connection to a low- or medium-voltage power distribution grid, and of a micro-generation source connection to a low-voltage grid. The method is based on the search for the option with the lowest aggregate assessment measure, which is the weighted average of partial assessment measures determined for each of eight considered criteria. For each of the first three, economic criteria, partial assessment measure was calculated using the normalisation method. For each of the other five, technical criteria, we developed a relative measure of the distance of the indicator from the threshold (e.g. the ratio of voltage drop in power supply line nodes in relation to its permissible value). This algorithm rejects variants whereby the thresholds set for partial criteria were exceeded in the time period of load/micro-generation source connection. The method was implemented in an MS Excel workbook and used to analyse complex problems of load or microgeneration source connections.