Performance analysis of power flow strategies adjusted to a distribution network with non-linear loads and a PV system

Abstract

In analysing power flows, computational strategies and tools are used to study electrical networks considered illconditioned by characteristics such as radial topology, load unbalance, and distributed generation. However, these techniques do not consider harmonic distortion that power electronics devices recently injected into electrical networks. For this reason, this work presents a comparison of the results of three strategies for solving harmonic power flows, where each one of them uses a specific load model in the frequency domain to represent nonlinear loads and a photovoltaic system installed in a distribution network. The traditional Backward/Forward algorithm is adjusted to meet the characteristic conditions of the network. It applies the Norton equivalent coupled admittance matrix model. The other strategies model the electrical network in specialised software; the analysis in Simulink considers the Norton decoupled admittance matrix model, while PowerFactory uses the current source model to represent the loads and the PV system. All three strategies successfully determined the waveforms of the voltage signals; however, the results showed differences for the current signals and power parameters.