Advances in Hosting Capacity Assessment and Enhancement Techniques for Distributed Energy Resources: A Review of Dynamic Operating Envelopes in the Australian Grid
The increasing penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery energy storage systems (BESSs), and electric vehicles (EVs) in low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) distribution networks is reshaping traditional grid operations. This shift introd...
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2025-06-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2922 |
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| author | Naveed Ali Brohi Gokul Thirunavukkarasu Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian Kafeel Ahmed Alex Stojcevski Saad Mekhilef |
| author_facet | Naveed Ali Brohi Gokul Thirunavukkarasu Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian Kafeel Ahmed Alex Stojcevski Saad Mekhilef |
| author_sort | Naveed Ali Brohi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The increasing penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery energy storage systems (BESSs), and electric vehicles (EVs) in low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) distribution networks is reshaping traditional grid operations. This shift introduces challenges including voltage violations, thermal overloading, and power quality issues due to bidirectional power flows. Hosting capacity (HC) assessment has become essential for quantifying and optimizing DER integration while ensuring grid stability. This paper reviews state-of-the-art HC assessment methods, including deterministic, stochastic, time-series, and AI-based approaches. Techniques for enhancing HC—such as on-load tap changers, reactive power control, and network reconfiguration—are also discussed. A key focus is the emerging concept of dynamic operating envelopes (DOEs), which enable real-time allocation of HC by dynamically adjusting import/export limits for DERs based on operational conditions. The paper examines the benefits, challenges, and implementation of DOEs, supported by insights from Australian projects. Technical, regulatory, and social aspects are addressed, including network visibility, DER uncertainty, scalability, and cybersecurity. The study highlights the potential of integrating DOEs with other HC enhancement strategies to support efficient, reliable, and scalable DER integration in modern distribution networks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c467bf6c15174b828d0e188f9341ef3e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-c467bf6c15174b828d0e188f9341ef3e2025-08-20T02:33:06ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-06-011811292210.3390/en18112922Advances in Hosting Capacity Assessment and Enhancement Techniques for Distributed Energy Resources: A Review of Dynamic Operating Envelopes in the Australian GridNaveed Ali Brohi0Gokul Thirunavukkarasu1Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian2Kafeel Ahmed3Alex Stojcevski4Saad Mekhilef5Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub, School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, AustraliaSiemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub, School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, AustraliaSiemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub, School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, AustraliaSiemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub, School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, AustraliaCurtin University, Singapore 117684, SingaporeSiemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub, School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, AustraliaThe increasing penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery energy storage systems (BESSs), and electric vehicles (EVs) in low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) distribution networks is reshaping traditional grid operations. This shift introduces challenges including voltage violations, thermal overloading, and power quality issues due to bidirectional power flows. Hosting capacity (HC) assessment has become essential for quantifying and optimizing DER integration while ensuring grid stability. This paper reviews state-of-the-art HC assessment methods, including deterministic, stochastic, time-series, and AI-based approaches. Techniques for enhancing HC—such as on-load tap changers, reactive power control, and network reconfiguration—are also discussed. A key focus is the emerging concept of dynamic operating envelopes (DOEs), which enable real-time allocation of HC by dynamically adjusting import/export limits for DERs based on operational conditions. The paper examines the benefits, challenges, and implementation of DOEs, supported by insights from Australian projects. Technical, regulatory, and social aspects are addressed, including network visibility, DER uncertainty, scalability, and cybersecurity. The study highlights the potential of integrating DOEs with other HC enhancement strategies to support efficient, reliable, and scalable DER integration in modern distribution networks.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2922hosting capacity assessmentdistributed energy resourcesdynamic operating envelopes |
| spellingShingle | Naveed Ali Brohi Gokul Thirunavukkarasu Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian Kafeel Ahmed Alex Stojcevski Saad Mekhilef Advances in Hosting Capacity Assessment and Enhancement Techniques for Distributed Energy Resources: A Review of Dynamic Operating Envelopes in the Australian Grid Energies hosting capacity assessment distributed energy resources dynamic operating envelopes |
| title | Advances in Hosting Capacity Assessment and Enhancement Techniques for Distributed Energy Resources: A Review of Dynamic Operating Envelopes in the Australian Grid |
| title_full | Advances in Hosting Capacity Assessment and Enhancement Techniques for Distributed Energy Resources: A Review of Dynamic Operating Envelopes in the Australian Grid |
| title_fullStr | Advances in Hosting Capacity Assessment and Enhancement Techniques for Distributed Energy Resources: A Review of Dynamic Operating Envelopes in the Australian Grid |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advances in Hosting Capacity Assessment and Enhancement Techniques for Distributed Energy Resources: A Review of Dynamic Operating Envelopes in the Australian Grid |
| title_short | Advances in Hosting Capacity Assessment and Enhancement Techniques for Distributed Energy Resources: A Review of Dynamic Operating Envelopes in the Australian Grid |
| title_sort | advances in hosting capacity assessment and enhancement techniques for distributed energy resources a review of dynamic operating envelopes in the australian grid |
| topic | hosting capacity assessment distributed energy resources dynamic operating envelopes |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2922 |
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