Transmission Congestion Management Via Reactive Power Loss Minimization and Node-Breaker Topology Control

A novel topology control algorithm using a reactive power loss function is proposed in this paper as a means to reduce congestion and improve margins in the network. A broad range of network switching actions, including both line switching and bus-bar switching, are implemented using a detailed node-breaker representation of the network. The algorithm uses a particular form of the AC power flow equations that allow for the sparse calculation of reactive power loss sensitivity. The numerical results obtained from the case studies show that the proposed approach efficiently reduces congestion or overload in pre-contingency or post-contingency situations. Thus, the proposed algorithm can be used in real-time operation or as a pre-screening step in remedial action plans (RAP) to determine the proper switching actions to reduce the congestion or overload in the network.