Probabilistic hosting capacity assessment towards efficient PV-rich low-voltage distribution networks

•A novel probabilistic approach for evaluating DERs hosting capacity utilizing large number of feeders.•Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to model the intermittency associated with the DERs’ integration in the distribution networks.•Impact of different network factors like node distance, customer count, impedance, and feeder length on hosting capacity are analysed.•Provides a practical lookup table for aiding distribution network operators (DNOs) during feeder planning. Increasing the adoption of renewable energy, especially photovoltaics (PVs), can have a positive impact on the environment and economies. However, the unplanned inclusion of these renewable resources into the grid system can give rise to serious constraint violations (voltage violations, over-currents, overloading of transformers) for the distribution system. In this regard, the primary intention of this study is to firstly identify the type of constraints that may be violated, and then quantify the hosting capacity (HC) for a particular feeder. Monte Carlo simulations were used to counter the uncertainties and variability related to loading behaviour and the randomness in the location and size of PV. The study was conducted on 507 realistic and distinct Finnish low-voltage distribution systems. The occurrence of the limiting constraints on HC and the pattern of their occurrence is explained. In the end, a correlation analysis is also performed using some key parameters of the grid to highlight the factors which influence the HC value the most.