Electric distribution network reconfiguration optimized for PV distributed generation and energy storage

Abstract

A new power grid PV-based generation technology presentes engineering challenges in regards to the control and operation of energy storage. Because the utility grid has bidirectional power-flow and further intelligent protection for intentional and unintentional islanding is required. Further, the high penetration of photovoltaics may increase active power losses, and reconfiguration studies must be conducted to analyze such losses and thus optimize system operation. Model based solutions become intractable considering the size of the search space. In this work a Binary Particle Swarm Optimization based solution is presented aiming distribution systems technical power losses reduction though system reconfiguration. Solution validation is carried on the IEEE 37 buses test feeder. A feasibility test is also addressed, and the results show that the BPSO and the use of energy storage systems are efficiently merged resulting in an electric distribution network reconfiguration optimized for PV distributed generation and energy storage, that can retrofit into existing power systems.