A sustainable approach to renewable integration in distribution grids through coordinated control of flexibility technologies

Abstract

The integration of distributed renewable energy sources (RESs) in distribution networks demands new strategies to address sustainability and grid resilience needs. In this work, a coordinated control method that synergizes dynamic line rating (DLR), soft open points (SOPs), on-load tap changers (OLTCs), battery energy storage systems (BESS), and demand response (DR) is proposed to optimize RES use. The optimization problem is expressed in a mixed-integer second-order cone program (MISOCP) that is solved via global optimum solvers to allow scalability and computational tractability in actual applications. Five scenarios of system operation are simulated on a 33-bus system, progressively adding these technologies to determine their impact on RES penetration, grid reliance, voltage stability, and losses. The key results provide a 19.8 % improvement in utilization of renewable energy and a decrease in upstream grid importation of 18.6 % over static networks. The proposed system is grid independent during hours of maximum RES generation (hours 7–12) and keeps voltage profiles in working limits (0.9–1.1 pu) via OLTC-regulated control and SOP-reactive support. As losses in the system occasionally become higher during high-renewable hours due to high-priority RES inclusion, coordinated control of DR and BESS reduces evening peak importation by 29 %. The outcomes of this work underscore synergistic use of technologies in making low-carbon, resilient distribution networks a reality, providing practical guidance to utilities in moving towards decentralized energy systems.