Utilization of an Urban AC Microgrid for Improving Voltages Across a Distribution System

Given that MGs have started becoming common in industrial and commercial facilities close to cities, it would make sense to utilize their control capabilities for increased grid services. Within this context, this paper investigates the hypothesis relating to the technical capability of urban microgrids for provision of voltage management services to their local distribution network. A detailed AC OPF, capturing the classical power flow equations, is utilized to assess the operation of an urban microgrid connected to a distribution network. The primary objective of the developed model is to minimize the operational cost of the overall system, while ensuring the voltage profiles across the network are smoothed out. A modified IEEE 14-bus system has been utilized to resemble a distribution system connected to a single microgrid. The results indicate redistribution of power flows that result in significant reduction of voltage deviation and power losses, as well as non-negligible decrease in the operating cost.