Reproducible Method for Modifying a Published Electricity Network Model for Transmission Expansion Planning

Transmission network-expansion planning research requires reproducibility of results and comparability of research from various sources. This paper presents a process for modifying a published electricity network model so that the model can be used for exploration of transmission expansion planning problems for different load and generation profiles. Nodal voltages and branch currents are kept within performance limits by following the applicable planning codes, with reinforcements selected based on a defined strategy to achieve compliance with the applicable standards. The process can be applied to any published model and any set of planning standards to result in a base model that is suitably up to date and realistic for transmission network-expansion planning research. A case study is presented, whereby the process is followed for the “Nordic-32”—a popular reference model based on the Swedish transmission network of the 1980s—with the result being a reproducible and updatable model suitable for exploring transmission expansion planning using 2024 generation-and-demand assumptions from Sweden and network design guidelines based on the Nordel Grid Code.