Mid- to Long-Term Distribution System Planning Using Investment-Based Modeling

Hosung Ryu, Wookyu Chae, Hongjoo Kim and Jintae Cho ()
Additional contact information
Hosung Ryu: KEPCO Research Institute (KEPRI), 105 Munji-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34056, Republic of Korea
Wookyu Chae: KEPCO Research Institute (KEPRI), 105 Munji-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34056, Republic of Korea
Hongjoo Kim: KEPCO Research Institute (KEPRI), 105 Munji-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34056, Republic of Korea
Jintae Cho: KEPCO Research Institute (KEPRI), 105 Munji-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34056, Republic of Korea

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-17

Abstract: This study presents a practical and scalable framework for the mid- to long-term distribution network planning that reflects real-world infrastructure constraints and investment requirements. While traditional methods often rely on simplified network models or reactive reinforcement strategies, the proposed approach introduces an investment-oriented planning model that explicitly incorporates physical elements such as duct capacity, pole availability, and installation feasibility. A linear programming (LP) formulation is adopted to determine the optimal routing and sizing of new facilities under technical constraints including voltage regulation, power balance, and substation capacity limits. To validate the model’s effectiveness, actual infrastructure and load data were used. The results show that the model can derive cost-efficient expansion strategies over a five-year horizon by prioritizing existing infrastructure use and flexibly adapting to spatial limitations. The proposed approach enables utility planners to make realistic, data-driven decisions and supports diverse scenario analyses through a modular structure. By embedding investment logic directly into the network model, this framework bridges the gap between high-level planning strategies and the engineering realities of distribution system expansion.

Keywords: distribution network planning; mid- to long-term distribution planning modeling; load modeling; investment-based network modeling; advanced distribution planning system (ADPS); linear programming (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3702/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3702/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:14:p:3702-:d:1700932

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().