Applying smart meter data to low voltage network planning

Abstract

Low voltage (LV) network planning becomes more and more an issue for the distribution network operator (DNO), with the introduction of heat pumps, electric vehicles and photovoltaics. The mandatory introduction of smart meters generates detailed data of the LV-network loading. The use of these data is governed by privacy laws, which requires the DNO to have a clear and concrete vision of how the data can benefit the public interest. To this extent the applicability of smart meter data for the LV-network planning is investigated. Household load data should still be modelled to be able to use the smart meter data for long term planning studies. This also anonymises the data making its usage more acceptable. From an LV-network planning perspective, the amount of smart meter data required can be limited to a fraction of a year.