Fair Dynamic Operating Envelopes using Distributed Multi-Period Optimal Power Flow and Jain Index for Active Distribution Networks

Abstract

Dynamic operating envelopes (DOEs) are increasingly used to publish time-varying export limits that keep distribution networks within operational limits. Purely technical DOE allocation, however, can systematically privilege electrically favorable prosumers, while embedding fairness directly into a single-period optimal power flow (OPF) objective mixes network feasibility, equity and efficiency in a way that obscures the cost of fairness. This paper proposes a two-stage, multi-period framework that addresses both of these. Initially, a technical distributed OPF computes network-feasible export envelopes. The subsequent stage then applies a dynamic aggregate export budget and redistributes capacity through cumulative proportional fairness, limiting the additional curtailment by an admissible efficiency budget. The resulting fair DOEs are treated as first-stage decisions, while battery storage provides scenario-dependent recourse under demand and renewable uncertainty. The operational problem is solved by a calibrated regional alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) on a lossless LinDistFlow model and independently validated using AC power flow. On the IEEE 33-bus feeder over a 24-hour horizon, the technical benchmark yields 2.1097 MWh of renewable curtailment, whereas the fairness-constrained allocation increases curtailment to 5.7216 MWh but caps the maximum cumulative curtailment ratio at 11.20% and raises Jain fairness indices close to unity, with AC voltage deviations below 0.01 p.u. and no voltage or thermal violations under the adopted 0.90-1.05 p.u. limits. Results show that considering both storage (which alleviates curtailment impact) and multi-period fairness (which increases curtailment) is an interesting approach for modern DOE design, which in turn requires a multi-period, co-designed approach.