Distributed energy resources

A method for assessing impacts and benefits of distributed energy resources (DER) for an electric power transmission and distribution network, the method comprising:

• generating an Energynet using a single mathematical model including a plurality of transmission voltage-level elements, a plurality of distribution voltage-level elements and an interdependency between the plurality of transmission voltage-level elements and the plurality of distribution voltage-level elements;
• adding models for real energy sources, reactive energy sources, and combined real and reactive energy sources to modeled network locations in selected combinations to the single mathematical model;
• generating one or more modified Energynets by evaluating alternative combinations of the additions to the single mathematical model for their ability to improve selected characteristics of network stability, or voltage security, or reduction of real and reactive power losses, or deferral of conventional network modifications;
• and
• storing a modified Energynet in a computer storage medium.

A method for assessing the potential impacts and benefits of distributed energy resources (DER) for an electric power transmission and distribution network, comprising:

• generating a network model using a single mathematical model including a plurality of transmission voltage-level elements, a plurality of distribution voltage-level elements and an interdependency between the plurality of transmission voltage-level elements and the plurality of distribution voltage-level elements;
• adding to the network model a set of models of real and reactive energy sources for resultant improvement in network performance, independent of considerations other than network performance;
• characterizing the set of added energy sources as a performance portfolio of individual projects for distributed energy resources, including dispatchable demand reduction, capacitive elements, and power generation;
• evaluating the economic value of improvements in network performance derived from proposed projects based on their similarity to the projects in the performance portfolio;
• and
• storing the performance portfolio and evaluated economic value of improvements in performance in a computer storage medium.