Temporal alignment framework for cable degradation management in energy transition: Physics-based assessment of distributed energy resources

High-penetration renewable energy and electric vehicle integration requires understanding distribution network thermal constraints. This study performs physics-based cable aging assessment of 1483 cable sections across 285 lines in a Dutch 10 kV network, establishing temporal alignment between distributed energy resource operation and cable thermal stress as the governing principle for infrastructure compatibility. Arrhenius aging kinetics analysis reveals 7.7% of sections require immediate intervention, limiting hosting capacity. Battery energy storage achieves 94.7% peak aging reduction through evening discharge, demonstrating active temporal bridging as essential for evening-peaked networks. Photovoltaic integration provides substantial generation and network-wide aging reduction yet limited peak stress mitigation due to temporal separation between midday generation and evening stress. Electric vehicle integration produces progressive thermal impacts through temporal overlap with evening peaks. Mixed scenarios confirm complementary roles: photovoltaic provides relative mitigation of electric vehicle impacts through midday load reduction, while evening peak stress requires battery-based management. Cable-level loss-of-life assessment identifies critical infrastructure, with primary feeder replacement addressing multiple sections enabling sustainable transition. Findings demonstrate fundamental shift from capacity-based toward temporal-coordination planning for distributed energy resource integration is required.