Co-optimization generation and transmission planning for maximizing large-scale solar PV integration

The shift from conventional generation to renewable energy resources in an effort to reduce emissions has led to a rapid proliferation of renewable resources especially solar photovoltaic (PV) in power systems. More and more large-scale solar PV farms are expected to be integrated in the existing grids in the foreseeable future in compliance with the energy sector renewable portfolio standards (RPS) in different states and countries. The integration of large-scale solar PV into power systems, however, will necessitate a system upgrade by adding new dispatchable units and transmission lines. In this paper, a co-optimization generation and transmission planning model is proposed to maximize large-scale solar PV hosting capacity. The solution of this model further determines the optimal solar PV size and location, along with potential required PV energy curtailment. Numerical simulations study the proposed co-optimization planning problem with and without considering the solar PV integration and exhibit the effectiveness of the proposed model.