Weighing benefits and risks of thermal rating amid uncertainty in asset parameters and load patterns in times of congestion: computational method and key observations

Rapid electrification is placing increasing strain on the electricity grid in The Netherlands, with a large economical and societal impact. Therefore, in addition to expanding the electricity network, grid operators seek to enhance the utilisation of the existing infrastructure. At the same time, the system reliability impact and thermal degradation must be minimized. MVdistribution grids, in which underground cables frequently limit capacity, display large heterogeneity in both operational and environmental conditions. Therefore, finding a balance between the maximum asset utilization and the impact comes with many uncertainties.