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If transmission charges are to reflect costs, they should be affected by the location of demand and generation. This paper describes the investment cost-related pricing (ICRP) methodology used to calculate transmission charges in Great Britain (GB), which is based on the marginal investment cost of additional demand or generation, using a dc load flow transport model. We apply this existing method to calculate charges for the Supergen FutureNet scenarios for 2020. This study highlights the sensitivities in charges for use of the transmission system arising from plausible demand and generation developments. The changes in tariffs will present financial challenges for system users in some areas. The objective of the work presented is to illustrate the sensitivity of the charges produced by this methodology to changes in demand, generation, and network topology rather than compare alternative pricing approaches. The conclusion drawn is that the ICRP system pricing method may be suitable in future years but only with some important issues investigated and resolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the identification of network configuration changes in distribution system state estimation (DSSE). The models of critical network configurations are stored in the form of a model bank. A recursive Bayesian approach which utilizes the output of the state estimation function of each model in the bank is used to identify the correct configuration of the network. The concept is demonstrated on a part of the U.K. Generic Distribution System (UKGDS) model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of minimizing losses in distribution networks has traditionally been investigated using a single, deterministic demand level. This has proved to be effective since most approaches are generally able to also result in minimum overall energy losses. However, the increasing penetration of (firm and variable) distributed generation (DG) raises concerns on the actual benefits of loss minimization studies that are limited to a single demand/generation scenario. Here, a multiperiod AC optimal power flow (OPF) is used to determine the optimal accommodation of (renewable) DG in a way that minimizes the system energy losses. In addition, control schemes expected to be part of the future Smart Grid, such as coordinated voltage control and dispatchable DG power factor, are embedded in the OPF formulation to explore the extra loss reduction benefits that can be harnessed with such technologies. The trade-off between energy losses and more generation capacity is also investigated. The methodology is applied to a generic U.K. distribution network and results demonstrate the significant impact that considering time-varying characteristics has on the energy loss minimization problem and highlight the gains that the flexibility provided by innovative control strategies can have on both loss minimization and generation capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with a study which assessed a company regulation in Chile which is aimed at making the private electricity distribution monopoly compete with a reference efficient model company, through a yardstick competition approach. Analysis of the three main components of the added value for distribution service in Chile; Overview of the price cap methodology in Great Britain; Resultant cost reductions under both regulations.