Stochastic enhancement of distribution network to increase hosting capacity and reduce voltage deviation

Exceeding the hosting capacity limits of photovoltaic (PV) systems can disrupt distribution network performance, leading to voltage instability and undesirable voltage rises. As PV integration expands, there is a need for the stochastic enhancement of distribution networks to increase hosting capacity and reduce voltage deviation. Traditional deterministic approaches often fail to address the inherent uncertainties in distributed PV penetration and to effectively utilize the VAR compensation capabilities of PV inverters. To overcome these limitations, a unified stochastic framework that integrates VAR compensation functions is introduced. A key contribution of this study is the probabilistic candidate selection method, which considers all customers as potential PV adopters and thus reflects real-world uncertainties in VAR compensation. Another contribution is the use of an unsimplified distribution grid model, offering a realistic representation of network conditions. A final contribution is the development of time-series based indices that capture the dynamic impacts of VAR compensation under varying load demand and solar irradiance. The results demonstrate that this methodology provides a practical approach for the stochastic enhancement of distribution networks, increasing hosting capacity and reducing voltage deviation. © 2025 The Author(s)