Optimal coordinated voltage control in active distribution networks using backtracking search algorithm.

Tengku Juhana Tengku Hashim,Azah Mohamed,Yongtang Shi

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0177507

Tengku Juhana Tengku Hashim, Azah Mohamed + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0177507

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Abstract

The growing interest in distributed generation (DG) in recent years has led to a number of generators connected to a distribution system. The integration of DGs in a distribution system has resulted in a network known as active distribution network due to the existence of bidirectional power flow in the system. Voltage rise issue is one of the predominantly important technical issues to be addressed when DGs exist in an active distribution network. This paper presents the application of the backtracking search algorithm (BSA), which is relatively new optimisation technique to determine the optimal settings of coordinated voltage control in a distribution system. The coordinated voltage control considers power factor, on-load tap-changer and generation curtailment control to manage voltage rise issue. A multi-objective function is formulated to minimise total losses and voltage deviation in a distribution system. The proposed BSA is compared with that of particle swarm optimisation (PSO) so as to evaluate its effectiveness in determining the optimal settings of power factor, tap-changer and percentage active power generation to be curtailed. The load flow algorithm from MATPOWER is integrated in the MATLAB environment to solve the multi-objective optimisation problem. Both the BSA and PSO optimisation techniques have been tested on a radial 13-bus distribution system and the results show that the BSA performs better than PSO by providing better fitness value and convergence rate.

Highlights

Distributed generation (DG) is the integrated use of small-capacity generators that are directly connected to a distribution system at distribution-end level and closer to customers [1]
The backtracking search algorithm (BSA) and particle swarm optimisation (PSO) techniques have reduced voltage deviation at the load buses with BSA showing larger reduction compared with PSO in all the case studies
This paper presents the application of the BSA which is a relatively new optimisation technique for determining the optimal settings of three different coordinated voltage control by means of power factor (PF), tap-changer and generation curtailment control

Summary

Introduction

Distributed generation (DG) is the integrated use of small-capacity generators that are directly connected to a distribution system at distribution-end level and closer to customers [1]. The increasing penetration of DGs leads to technical issues because DGs interact with the existing elements of traditional distribution systems. Some technical issues that are generated from the existence of DGs in a network include voltage levels, power flows, equipment thermal ratings, fault current levels, and protection issues [2]. Voltage control is a well-documented operational challenge drawn from the literature review [3].

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