A review of European low-voltage distribution networks

Due to the increasing integration of low-carbon technologies (e.g., heat pumps, photovoltaic systems, electric vehicles) needed to achieve climate-neutral plans in the European Union and several other European countries, low-voltage distribution networks face new challenges regarding reliable operation and growth in operation and investment costs. Increased knowledge and analysis of low-voltage distribution networks is a fundamental step toward addressing the challenges related to the deployment of low-carbon technologies, which require data on relevant grid parameters to support simulations. Although there were some data available on existing local European low-voltage grids and a few generic ones, the low-voltage network techno-economic data were still scattered and not compared between each other. This study provides a first-of-a-kind structured literature review of low-voltage grids in Europe from 26 open access grids and 29 scientific articles or reports, with a special emphasis on technical and economic parameters. Moreover, representative values for the technical and economic parameters of low-voltage grids in corresponding European countries or regions are recommended based on the collected data. This work can help academics and distribution system operators select the appropriate technical and economic grid parameters to comprehensively quantify the impacts of low-carbon technology integration into European low-voltage grids and to investigate options (e.g., grid reinforcements) to mitigate these impacts.