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Microgrids have emerged as a popular solution for electric energy distribution due to their reliability, sustainability, and growing accessibility. However, their implementation can be challenging, particularly due to regulatory and market issues. Building smaller-scale microgrids, also known as nanogrids, can present additional challenges, such as high investment costs that need to be justified by local demands. To address these challenges, this work proposes an economic feasibility assessment model that is applied to a real nanogrid under construction in the Brazilian electrical system, with electric vehicle charging stations as its main load. The model, which takes into account uncertainties, evaluates the economic viability of constructing a nanogrid using economic indicators estimated by the Monte Carlo simulation method, with the system operation represented by the OpenDSS software. The model also considers aspects of energy transactions within the net-metering paradigm, with energy compensation between the nanogrid and the main distribution network, and investigates how incentives can impact the viability of these microgrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this paper, the static transmission expansion planning (TEP) problem is solved for real large electrical networks. Different generation and load scenarios are considered and the "N‐1" security criterion is ensured. The solution of the problem is achieved based on a constructive metaheuristic algorithm (CMA‐TEP) specially developed for large systems. The proposed method performs a gradual and parallel process of constructing solutions (expansion plans), which incorporates heuristics and procedures generally used by planning engineers. Operational information for the intact network condition and under contingencies is used during the constructive process, to identify reinforcements to be added (most attractive) to or removed (less effective) from the network being set up. Moreover, mechanisms of recombination, perturbation, selection, refinement, and depuration of solutions are also employed during the constructive process. The linear DC network model, including ohmic transmission losses, is used throughout the entire constructive process. The robustness and efficiency of the proposed CMA‐TEP method is tested in a configuration of the Brazilian network, considering two hydrological scenarios: dry and humid. Comparisons based on statistical performance indices are also carried out with specialized genetic algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]