Power Demand Forecasting Methodology as a Tool For Planning and Development of the Distribution Networks

Abstract

Planning for the development of the distribution network, providing the required level of reliability, while minimizing expenditures for the expansion requires forecasting future demand for power end-users connected to the network. Dynamics of changes in electrical load will depend on many factors, both local (e.g. changes in the structure and number of customers) and global (e.g. changes in energy intensity of consumption). The forecasting methodology presented in the paper combines the power demand trend extrapolation techniques, resulting from historical measurement data, with using the information about the potential socio-economic development and available economic and demographic forecasts at different levels of territorial division of the country. Application of the proposed methodology allows performing medium and long term projections of demand for power in the nodes of the distribution network.