Methods and systems for assessing hosting capacity in a distribution system

A system comprising:

• a memory having computer-executable instructions encoded thereon;
• and
• a processor functionally coupled to the memory and configured, by the computer-executable instructions, to cause the system to perform the following steps:
• receive, with a network interface, a plurality of performance parameters for a plurality of distribution system feeders;
• and
• determine, based on at least the plurality of performance parameters, a hosting capacity for the distribution system feeders by:
• generating a subset of spot loads from among a plurality of spot loads, wherein each spot load comprises one or more characteristics;
• determining, based on the subset of spot loads and the plurality of performance parameters, a hosting capacity contribution of each of the plurality of distribution system feeders;
• and
• determining, based on the hosting capacity contribution of each of the plurality of distribution system feeders, a final hosting capacity for the distribution system.

A method comprising:

• (a) selecting, by a computing device at random, a spot load from among the subset of spot loads for a feeder;
• (b) adjusting, by a specified amount, a number of kilowatts associated with a characteristic of the randomly selected spot load,
• (c) generating, based on the adjusted number of kilowatts, a load flow for the feeder,
• (d) determining, based on a load flow for the feeder, whether any of a plurality of performance parameters is violated,
• (e) responsive to determining that the plurality of performance parameters are not violated, repeating steps (a)-(d) for each spot load of the subset of spot loads,
• (f) responsive to determining that at least one of the plurality of performance parameters is violated, decreasing, by the adjusted amount, a number of kilowatts associated with the characteristic of the previously selected spot load, and
• (g) determining, based on the generated load flows for the feeder, a first hosting capacity contribution for the feeder.