Impact Assessment Criteria of Distribution System Architecture

Abstract

The distribution system is experiencing rapid changes such as growth in low carbon technology connection and changes of customer needs. These changes bring challenges to the current system in maintaining an efficient and secure supply. Possible distribution system architectures for the future have been proposed to fulfil future requirements. Yet, it is still unclear which architecture will bring the maximum benefits to key stakeholders across the distribution system. This paper proposes simple and efficient criteria to evaluate possible future distribution system architectures. The proposed criteria take learnings from the Five Case Model and adapt them to assess the impact on key stakeholders. Adding the key stakeholders to the criteria helps the industry and the regulator to understand whether a transitional change would bring positive or negative impacts to each key stakeholder, and ultimately the system as a whole. The results of the impact assessment will assist the industry and the regulator to identify the most appropriate industrial structure that would create the best value for key stakeholders.