Application of a performance assessment method to identify the applicability range of distribution network equivalent models

The development of accurate equivalent models of distribution networks (DNs) is one of the most important aspects for power system dynamic analysis. Consequently, during the last decades, several equivalent models have been proposed to analyse the dynamic behaviour of DNs. However, the performance of existing models is sensitive to several factors such as the pre-disturbance operating conditions and the penetration level of distributed generators. Scope of this paper is to evaluate the applicability range of conventional equivalent models for the dynamic analysis of modern DNs by using a recently proposed performance assessment method. Towards this objective, the performance, in terms of accuracy and generalization capability, of 22 conventional equivalent models is assessed. Finally, the most critical parameters of all examined equivalents are identified by applying a variance-based sensitivity analysis.