Features of planning and managing power flows in distribution grids of megalopolises

Abstract

The study examines the root causes of disruptions of normal operation of power distribution grids in large cities and metropolitan areas. The existing principles of scheduling and maintaining power flows in power distribution grids as well as ways of ensuring the reliability of their operation are analyzed. The integration of fuel-fired distributed generation facilities and renewable generation plants into distribution networks is shown to affect the ability to ensure transient stability during emergency disturbances. We establish evaluation criteria and provide upward margin values to determine the feasibility of the planned power flows. The study reveals general patterns in the calculation of the upward margin for power distribution grids of large cities and metropolitan areas. Test power flow analysis is performed for a real-world segment of a metropolitan area power distribution grid to identify possible overloads of power grid equipment and develop and implement a list of measures for the power flow to achieve the feasible region. The developed approach makes it possible to minimize load shedding or rule out load shedding altogether, ensuring reliable power supply to consumers in large cities and metropolitan areas in the event of an unexpected load growth.