Decision-Making Methods Enabling Sustainable Distribution Network Operation and Planning

Dear Colleagues,

Before the introduction of distributed energy resources (DERs) both the planning and operation of the distribution networks were handled with passive systems: the aim was to guarantee the supply of passive customers with an adequate service level and worst-case scenarios based on peak load conditions were considered. However, today, due to the presence of DERs (which include distributed generation, distributed storage, and demand response procedures), the decision-making process for planning and operation problems faced by the distribution system operator (DSO) is becoming more complex. In this renewed context, since decision problems may have conflicting objectives, multi-objective optimization methodologies are required; nevertheless, the output of these methods are sets of solutions, which can be seen as compromise solutions from which the DSO has to choose the most suitable to reach defined purposes. While in the past, without DERs, DSOs could choose the solution considering only a single aspect (such as the investment consisting of the minimum expenditure considering both capital and operation costs), defining the purpose may require several indicators and the definition of their importance has to be introduced. Thanks to the presence of DERs, the same technical results can be achieved with different sets of investments, each of them having a different impact on other aspects. Among them, the environmental ones are of particular interest, because understanding the carbon footprint of any alternative, and/or its impact on the local ambient conditions is a pre-requisite to drive investments along a sustainable path.

We are pleased to introduce a Special Issue of Sustainability “Decision-Making Methods Enabling Sustainable Distribution Network Operation and Planning” and to invite interested authors to submit original contributions on related topics. This Special Issue will collect articles that report on the latest advances about the application of decision-making methods, driving the distribution system operator towards novel planning and operation procedures of sustainable distribution systems.

The introduction of distributed energy resources, such as distribution generation and storage, poses new challenges, but even opens new potential paths for the planning and operation of the distribution system. The same technical result can be reached with different approaches, but all of them have different impacts on other aspects that must be carefully considered. In particular, environmental aspects and the sustainability of the entire chain must be properly addressed, by considering the local and global impact of the different alternatives, also thinking in terms of energy systems (e.g., by introducing technologies enabling its decarbonization) and sector coupling (e.g., thinking the investments by considering the potential benefits on different infrastructure).

This Special will investigate aspects linked to decision-making methods applied to distribution system planning and operation, suggesting new approaches and solutions for ensuring the short- and long-term sustainability of the system.
The main topics of interest include (but are not limited to) the following:

1. Theoretical studies involving multi-criteria decision-making methods for planning and operation of the distribution systems (e.g., with the introduction of these methods within optimization procedures)
2. Applications referring to real-world cases, with the aim to create a list of learned good practices which can be of inspirations not only for other DSOs, but also for researchers to elaborate new theoretical works
3. New sustainability indices, that can be introduced to drive properly the investments (for example by considering new devices able to coupling different sectors and decarbonizing the energy system chain)

We think that making a point regarding these aspects is important at this time, because it can open a discussion about new future trends (such as a new active role of the distribution system, or the introduction of local energy markets).

Thus, we look forward to receiving valuable contributions, which can positively impact the present literature, by providing a secure guide towards a brilliant future of the distribution system management.

Dr. Andrea Mazza
Prof. Dr. Angela Russo
Guest Editors

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• Electric distribution systems
• Distributed energy resources
• Planning and operation of distribution systems
• Multi-criteria decision-making methods
• Multi-objective optimization
• Environmental footprint
• Sustainable investments