Abstract
Many distribution system studies require long-term evaluations (e.g. for one year or more): Energy loss minimization, reliability assessment, or optimal rating of distributed energy resources should be based on long-term simulations of the distribution system. This paper summarizes the work carried out by the authors to perform long-term studies of large distribution systems using an OpenDSS-MATLAB environment and parallel computing. The paper details the tools, models, and procedures used by the authors in optimal allocation of distributed resources, reliability assessment of distribution systems with and without distributed generation, optimal rating of energy storage systems, or impact analysis of the solid state transformer. Since in most cases, the developed procedures were implemented for application in a multicore installation, a summary of capabilities required for parallel computing applications is also included. The approaches chosen for carrying out those studies used the traditional Monte Carlo method, clustering techniques or genetic algorithms. Custom-made models for application with OpenDSS were required in some studies: A summary of the characteristics of those models and their implementation are also included.
Highlights
Distribution system analysis has been traditionally perceived as the study of small radially-connected systems by means of dedicated simple power flow methods
The paper presents a summary of modeling guidelines to be used in long-term simulations of distribution systems when using a power flow simulator, the tools used and developed by the authors in their studies with OpenDSS, the custom-made models implemented for some studies, the techniques selected for each study and some simulation results aimed at illustrating the results derived from OpenDSS simulations
This paper has summarized the work carried out by the authors on distribution systems analysis by using OpenDSS and parallel computing, with emphasis on long-term assessment
Summary
Models to be used for representing multi-phase distribution system components should be adequate for power flow calculations under both balanced and unbalanced operating conditions, and can be classified into the following groups [24]: (1) Power delivery components, whose basic function is to transport energy. Common distribution power delivery components are lines, cables, transformers and voltage regulators They can be represented by either their admittance or their impedance matrices, depending on the solution technique used for load flow calculations. They are represented as a single multiphase terminal block This group of components includes generation units, energy storage devices and loads. Power conversion components (1) Generation units: A generator has been traditionally modeled in load flow calculations as a fixed voltage source (as slack node), as a PV source (with known terminal voltage), or as a negative PQ node (with unknown terminal voltage). We present some of the tools used by the authors to develop applications for the analysis and solution of power distribution systems
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