Probabilistic load flow analysis of active distribution network adopting improved sequence operation methodology

With increasing connection of distributed generations (DGs), the power flow in electric distribution network is no longer unidirectional and the network has become active distribution network. Thus, the connection of DGs in electric distribution networks has created a challenge for distribution network operators due to bidirectional power flow. One of the main technical challenges of an active distribution network is to maintain an acceptable voltage level in the system. This has initiated efforts in using various voltage control strategies to regulate the network voltage profile so that the voltage is maintained at its allowable voltage limits. A number of voltage control methods have been applied to solve voltage control problems associated with the connection of DGs in a distribution system. These voltage control strategies may be classified as decentralized or distributed and centralized or coordinated voltage control. From the literature, a number of coordinated voltage control strategies have been implemented to provide better and faster control to the system. This chapter presents an improved coordinated voltage control method in active electric distribution network by coordinating the three voltage control methods, namely, power factor control, on load tap changer control and generation curtailment control. These voltage control methods are coordinated using fuzzy logic by considering the load bus voltages and DG power as inputs and the voltage control actions as the outputs. The fuzzy logic if-then control rules which are generated to build the fuzzy logic control system are based on the simulations results as well as from the previous works. Results obtained using the fuzzy logic based coordinated voltage control has shown that the voltages are able to be kept within its permissible limits.

The large-scale integration of distributed photovoltaics (PV) can cause reverse power flow due to an imbalance between load and PV generation, altering the voltage profile in traditional distribution networks. The uncertainties in PV output can also cause voltage violations in the distribution network. Conventional methods for assessing static stability in voltage within such systems utilize continuous power flow techniques to calculate the load margin index, which provides a measure of how stable the voltage is in the distribution network. Nevertheless, the frequent load margin calculations in such methods result in significant computational costs, rendering them impractical for networks with distributed generators (DGs). Conventional static voltage stability assessment methods typically use continuation power flow (CPF) to calculate load margins but face significant computational bottlenecks in active distribution networks with distributed generation. For instance, even with improved power flow algorithms, a 33-bus system requires 58 iterations and about 0.3–0.5 seconds per analysis; in large-scale systems with tens of thousands of buses, total evaluation time can exceed 10 minutes. This paper introduces the holomorphic embedding load flow method (HELM), which accommodates different bus types (PI, PQ, PV) in active distribution networks. Building on HELM, a voltage partial sensitivity method is proposed, providing a criterion for evaluating the voltage stability in distribution networks. The sensitivity-based stability criteria using holomorphic embedding functions consider various DG operating conditions without requiring maximum load margin computation. The efficient calculation of these indexes makes the approach ideal for managing voltage in systems that include distribution networks with DGs. Finally, these indexes are used to manage voltage in active distribution networks, and the effectiveness of the method is confirmed through comprehensive numerical examples.

The energy crisis and environmental concerns have accelerated the development of the active distribution network (ADN) with a high proportion of renewable energy, which poses a challenge to the operation of the power system. Moreover, using active management means to promote the consumption of renewable energy is an important task of ADN. Therefore, as an important operation means, the network reconfiguration is used to enhance the adjustable capacity of the power system at the planning stage. Firstly, a “wind–light–load” uncertain scenario set is constructed to address the uncertainty of wind speed, lighting, and load. On this basis, a robust optimization model for distributed power generation taking into account network reconstruction and in ADN is proposed. In addition, the distributed generator (DG) permeability indicator is introduced in the planning model to improve the ADN ability of absorbing renewable energy. A linearized AC power flow model is utilized to calculate the power flow. Finally, via simulation in an IEEE 33-bus system and IEEE 69-bus system, the influence of network reconfiguration and robustness on distributed generator planning, economy and reliability of ADN is analyzed, and the validity of the model is verified.

Significant increase of distributed generation (DG) presence and active distribution network (ADN) development cause changes in distribution network’s power quality (PQ), mostly in distorted system voltages and currents. This paper analyses harmonics generation from multiple DG types, such as solar and biogas power plants, and simulates harmonic interactions in ADN in order to identify potential PQ issues. Each harmonic source observed in this paper was modelled according to IEC 61000 with the model parameters provided by power quality measurements in the real system on several DG power plants and passive consumer nodes. A harmonic load flow is performed on a detailed ADN model for different presumed DG expansion scenarios that indicate the complexity of the DG impact on the AND’s PQ. Quantitative and qualitative graphical presentation for cumulative and the most significant ADN nodes is given and the assessment for the potential ADN development based on PQ indices is proposed.

This paper mainly investigates risk assessment of voltage limit violation in active distribution network with integration of wind generation (WG), photovoltaic generation (PVG) and electric vehicles (EVs). Firstly, to avoid additional peak load caused by random EV charging, a controlled EV charging and discharging strategy is designed. Then, for the correlations of spatially near WGs and PVGs, Nataf transformation and orthogonal transformation (OT) are integrated to solve the problem, and this provides a path for point estimate method (PEM) based probabilistic load flow (PLF) to obtain steady-state voltage of active distribution network. Furthermore, based on the voltage results, a model for quantifying the risk of voltage limit violation is developed by considering loss of load caused by voltage limit violation, which is different from the previous risk indices calculated by possibility and severity of voltage limit violation. Finally, the proposed model is tested on the modified IEEE 33-bus system. Simulation results confirm that the effective EV charging/discharging strategies and penetration increment of WG and PVG help to decrease operation risk of active distribution network.

With the decentralization of the electricity market and the plea for a carbon-neutral ecosystem, more and more distributed generation (DG) has been incorporated in the power distribution grid, which is then known as active distribution network (ADN). The addition of DGs causes numerous control and protection confronts to the traditional distribution network. For instance, two-way power flow, small fault current, persistent fluctuation of generation and demand, and uncertainty of renewable energy sources (RESs). These problems are more challenging when the distribution network hosts many converter-coupled DGs. Hence, the traditional protection schemes and relaying methods are inadequate to protect ADNs against short-circuit faults and disturbances. We propose a robust communication-assisted fault protection technique for safely operating ADNs with high penetration of converter-coupled DGs. The proposed technique is realizable by employing digital relays available in the recent market and it aims to protect low-voltage (LV) ADNs. It also includes secondary protection that can be enabled when the communication facility or protection equipment fails to operate. In addition, this study provides the detail configuration of the digital relay that enables the devised protection technique. Several enhancements are derived, as alternative technique for the traditional overcurrent protection approach, to detect small fault current and high-impedance fault (HIF). A number of simulations are performed with the complete model of a real ADN, in Shenyang, China, employing the PSCAD software platform. Various cases, fault types and locations are considered for verifying the efficacy of the devised technique and the enabling digital relay. The obtained simulation findings verify the proposed protection technique is effective and reliable in protecting ADNs against various fault types that can occur at different locations.

Because of uncertainties of renewable generation resources and load, efficient tools are required for load flow analysis in power systems. Many of the existing papers assume a set of given probability density functions (PDFs) to model uncertainties and develop parametric probabilistic load flow tools. However, the uncertainties might not fall in any standard class of PDFs. Thus, nonparametric tools are needed. This paper presents a method for nonparametric probabilistic load flow analysis to determine PDFs of the load flow outputs. The proposed method is based on the mean value first order saddle point approximation. For a system with $\boldsymbol {n}$ random variables, $\boldsymbol {(n+1)}$ load flow calculations are utilized to establish first order Taylor series expansion and then saddle point approximation is adopted to determine the probabilistic characteristic of desired output variables. The proposed nonparametric estimator provides accurate results while needing a reasonable computational effort. The estimator needs only a limited available data set of random variables without requiring information whether the data set belongs to a certain class of parametric distribution functions. Furthermore, both probability and cumulative distribution functions of load flow outputs are directly established without using integral or differential operators. The proposed method is tested on the IEEE 14-bus and the IEEE 118-bus test systems and promising results are obtained.

In order to meet the high permeability and the access of large scale distributed generation, at present and in the future, active distribution network becomes the trend of smart grid research. This paper introduces the influence of distribution network voltage distribution and stability of distributed energy access based on active distribution network; The reactive power and voltage optimization control method of active power distribution network is summarized from the aspects of optimal voltage regulation measure, voltage regulation measure of power network equipment, reactive power optimal dispatch of power system, and so on. Analysis of the current status of the research, and summarized the existing active distribution network with a distributed power pickup distribution network reactive power and voltage control of the existence of some problems and the insufficiency still some problems that must be solved in the study of reactive power and voltage optimization control of active distribution network are pointed out.

The performance of conventional protections has deteriorated in active distribution networks (ADN) because of high penetration of distributed generator (DG) and solid state transformer (SST). In this paper, based on the features of short-circuit current fed by DG and SST, the current distribution characteristics of ADN are analyzed. Moreover, a networked protection scheme is proposed for ADN. This scheme compares the amplitudes of negative-sequence, zero-sequence and phase currents between different ports of grid component to realize fault identification. It can act rapidly and has the ability to cope with large transition resistance. Communication system only needs to transmit current amplitude, and synchronous sampling is not required. In addition, there is no requirement for voltage measurement, which will help to reduce cost. The effectiveness of the protection scheme is verified via simulation tests.

It is an important part for the power system operation risk control to identify the critical lines. Fluctuation of wind power and fluctuation of load will have a great influence on power transmission and distribution, which will lead to the change of critical lines. Based on probabilistic load flow (PLF) analysis, the risk theory is introduced to put forward, and probabilistic flow betweenness considering uncertainty of wind power and load is presented for critical line identification, which reflects the influence of power grid structure characteristics, change of system running state and uncertain factors on power transmission. It can identify critical lines more accurately. Simulation calculation on CEPRI-36 bus system integrated with wind farms and IEEE-39 bus system with wind farms verify effectiveness of this method. It is able to search for the critical lines according to system running state in actual application, so as to adopt security control measures for the system.

The increased distributed generators (DGs) have exacerbated voltage violations in active distribution networks (ADNs). Local reactive power control of DG inverters can realize a fast response to frequent voltage fluctuations. However, commonly used model-based voltage control depends upon accurate network parameters and entire ADN data, which may cause the sensitive information leakage of ADN and DG behaviors in practical operation. In this article, a cloud-edge collaboration-based local voltage control strategy for DGs is proposed with privacy preservation. First, a local voltage control framework is established based on cloud-edge collaboration, in which a surrogate model is built based on the graph convolutional neural networks to estimate the ADN voltages. By transferring the surrogate model, the edge side can obtain the exact voltage estimation in the local curve tuning process without the authority of the whole ADN data, preserving the network parameters of ADN. Then, the interarea coordination based on federated learning is proposed to realize the parameter updating of DG control curves, which can achieve better voltage control performance. By updating surrogate submodels based on private data distributed across multiple edge devices, federated learning can effectively preserve DG behaviors. Finally, the effectiveness and adaptability of the proposed control strategy are validated using the modified IEEE 33-node system. The proposed local DG control strategy can effectively cope with voltage problems and enhance the adaptability to variations in practical operation states while considering privacy preservation.

This paper proposes a central limit theorem-based method (CLTM) to overcome the conservatism of interval DC and AC power flow analysis under uncertainty of renewable power generation. Interval DC power flow (IDCPF) models are solved by expressing the bus angle and active transmission power as linear combinations of interval nodal power injections, and then the central limit theorem is applied to obtain high-confidence intervals of DC power flow variables. Interval AC power flow (IACPF) models are solved by first applying the optimizing-scenarios method to acquire more accurate affine arithmetic forms of the power flow variables defined according to linear combinations of nodal power injections, and then high-confidence intervals of AC power flow variables are obtained via the central limit theorem. In addition, a criterion formulation is established to evaluate the errors of interval power flow methods. The results of simulations validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method relative to the performances of previously established methods, including the Monte Carlo simulation, affine arithmetic-based method and optimizing-scenarios method.

An AC probabilistic load flow analysis considering the fluctuation of loads, the unscheduled unit outages and random branch outages is proposed. Then it is applied to analyze the power system's static state security. By using the sensitivity matrix and taking the random branch outages as the 0-1 distribution of incremental power injections at each end of the branch, the probabilistic distribution of nodal voltages and line flows is obtained by a combined Cumulants and Gram-Charlier Series expansion method, instead of complex convolution calculation. It adopts the technology of contingency sequencing to analyze the random outages of each branch according to the severity order of contingency, which reduces amount of calculation in consequence. Then apply this method into probabilistic load flow analysis and static state security analysis through the IEEE118 test system. The comparison results with Monte Carlo simulation show the accuracy and higher speed of the proposed method.

To investigate the security issues of loop-closing operations in medium–low-voltage distribution networks under the influence of stochastic fluctuations from distributed generators (DGs) and loads, probabilistic power flow is introduced for analyzing loop-closing currents in active distribution networks. A novel method combining Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) and the Gram–Charlier (GC) series, termed the LHS-GC method, is proposed to calculate the probability distribution of loop-closing currents. By modeling DGs and loads as random variables, their cumulants are efficiently obtained through LHS. Based on a linearized formulation of loop-closing current equations, the cumulants of loop-closing currents are calculated, ultimately reconstructing the probability distribution function of loop-closing currents in active distribution networks. Subsequently, a security assessment framework for loop-closing operations is established using the probability distribution of loop-closing currents. This framework provides a quantitative evaluation from two dimensions: preliminary loop-closing success rate and the severity of current limit violations, offering data-driven decision support for loop-closing operations. Taking the IEEE 34-node distribution network as an example for feeder loop-closing current assessment, the proposed LHS-GC method achieves results with less than 4% deviation from simulation values in terms of cumulative probability distribution of loop-closing currents and safety assessment metrics. Under a sampling scale of 500 points, the computational time is 0.76 s, demonstrating its efficiency and reliability. These outcomes provide actionable references for decision-making support in loop-closing operations of active distribution networks.

Summary A distribution network with distributed generation (DG) is usually called an active distribution network. The voltage quality in an active distribution network tends to degrade because of the bidirectional power flow in the network and the random output characteristic of DG. Existing voltage control methods cannot effectively address this issue. In this article, an improved differential evolution (DE) algorithm–based optimal series compensation voltage control method for an active distribution network is presented. It is assumed that the series compensating voltage is produced flexibly by modern power electronics equipment. The quantitative relationship connecting the node voltage deviation, network power loss and compensating voltage is analysed. The optimal control model, including the power loss and load node voltage, is constructed. Then an improved DE algorithm is proposed to solve the optimal model, which combines the standard DE approach with the simulated annealing and adaptive mutation operator method. The optimal control model can be solved effectively by the improved algorithm. A simulation model is developed based on the IEEE 33 standard distribution network with DG. Simulation results confirm the validity of the optimal control model and the advantages of the improved DE algorithm.