Influences of different planning horizons on strategic grid planning in low-voltage grids

The energy transition leads to an increase in electrical load and generation driven by technologies such as photovoltaics, heat pumps and charging of electric vehicles. To accommodate these additional demands, extensive grid reinforcement is required. Detailed strategic grid planning is essential to deliver this capacity as efficiently and quickly as possible. This paper investigates the impact of various planning horizons on low-voltage grids using a simulation environment. The analyses are based on 20 000 georeferenced low-voltage grids from three Austrian distribution system operators. Through regionalization, detailed ramp-up scenarios for additional loads and generators are created up to 2050. An algorithm is employed to automatically reinforce grids in response to congestion or voltage violations. This algorithm is parameterized for five different planning horizons. The results show how different planning horizons influence the temporal distribution of investment costs and the role of interest rates. Additionally, the study investigates how planning horizons affect the number, frequency, and size of construction sites.