Reactive resource reallocation in DG integrated secondary distribution networks with time-series distribution power flow

Abstract

While penetration of Distributed Generators (DGs) has been increasing with favorable government policies coupled with technological advances in portable deployment of DGs, the challenges of efficient network operations in secondary distribution networks have also become formidable. Among other issues, the real power penetration from PV and Wind generators causes imbalance between real and reactive power flows in low voltage distribution networks where phase unbalancing and variation in demand-supply have dominant effect on voltage profile, overloads, power factor and losses. This paper attempts to apply sequential time simulations approach by performing distribution power flow simulations for time-series data points of demand and generation over a period of one year at 15 minute intervals. This approach helps in capturing the diurnal and seasonal variability of intermittent power producing DGs and that of load profiles. It also helps in undertaking time integral studies for energy losses, number of switching operations by control devices such as shunt compensators and voltage regulators. The results of this exercise are used to propose different switching strategies to limit voltage limit violations while reducing annual energy losses.