Investment Planning for Risk Mitigation in Low Voltage Distribution Networks

This paper presents a risk-based investment planning procedure presently employed by Areti S.p.A., the distribution system operator of Rome, Italy, on its low voltage distribution network. The main goal of the procedure is the mitigation of the impact of LV line faults on the continuity of supply of end customers. Two investment options, namely installation of new LV lines and meshing of the LV grid, are modeled and compared. Results obtained on a significant portion of the LV grid of Rome show that grid meshing is the most cost effective option, at the same time ensuring an acceptable risk impact mitigation.