A performance evaluation of future low voltage grids in presence of prosumers modelled in high temporal resolution

Prosumers have a different interaction with the distribution network in comparison with traditional consumers. They have a bi-directional power exchange with the grid, meaning they receive from as well as deliver electricity to the network. The emergence of prosumers is expected to challenge the way network operators control the residential low-voltage (LV) distribution networks. Commonly, the metering of received and delivered electricity at the residential level is conducted on 1-hour basis, thus only hourly load/generation profiles are available for the system operators to conduct the power system impact analysis. Yet, it is relatively difficult to have an accurate prediction of the real system performance if the intra-hour phenomena are not considered. A better estimation requires employment of higher temporal resolution profiles during the power system studies. To address these challenges, which future smart cities and communities might face, this paper presents a methodology for generating 1-minute load profiles based on the hourly readings from smart meters. Secondly, it demonstrates gain in information about LV network by employing the high resolution profiles for power system impact analysis. Finally, it highlights the problems of smart residential networks with high share of prosumers for two LV network scenarios during winter and summer weeks.