Power Flow Management by Active Nodes: A Case Study in Real Operating Conditions

Stefano Bifaretti,Francesco Gallinelli,Sabino Pipolo,Pericle Zanchetta,Silvio Alessandroni,Vincenzo Bonaiuto,Cristina Terlizzi

doi:10.3390/en14154519

Stefano Bifaretti, Francesco Gallinelli + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en14154519

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Abstract

The role of distributor system operators is experiencing a gradual but relevant change to include enhanced ancillary and energy dispatch services needed to manage the increased power provided by intermittent distributed generations in medium voltage networks. In this context, the paper proposes the insertion, in strategic points of the network, of specific power electronic systems, denoted as active nodes, which permit the remote controllability of the active and reactive power flow. Such capabilities, as a further benefit, enable the distributor system operators to provide ancillary network services without requiring any procurement with distributed generation systems owners. In particular, the paper highlights the benefits of active nodes, demonstrating their capabilities in reducing the inverse power flow issues from medium to high voltage lines focusing on a network cluster including renewable energy resources. As a further novelty, this study has accounted for a real cluster operated by the Italian distributor system operator Areti. A specific simulation model of the electrical lines has been implemented in DigSilent PowerFactory (DIgSILENT GmbH–Germany) software using real operating data obtained during a 1-year measurement campaign. A detailed cost-benefit analysis has been provided, accounting for different load flow scenarios. The results have demonstrated that the inclusion of active nodes can significantly reduce the drawbacks related to the reverse power flow.

Highlights

Scenario A is related to the implementation of Physical link 1, subsections, the base scenario, representing the actual state of the cluster, as well as the modified scenarios including active nodes have been described in detail, including the most significant results
It is worth noticing that the prediction of cash flows, as shown in Figures 11 and 13, has been evaluated with the strong assumption that the corresponding energy flow scenarios remain constant every year without considering that those can change each year
As an increase in the number of DG generators is expected in the few years, even if the load demand grows at the same rate, it is reasonable to

Summary

Introduction

The increasing proliferation of distributed generation systems (DGSs), mostly based on renewable energy resources connected through power electronic interfaces to medium voltage (MV) distribution networks, is going to create control, operation, protection and planning issues if they are not effectively addressed [1]. In such a scenario, the role of distributor system operators (DSOs) has been gradually grown to include enhanced ancillary and energy dispatch services by interacting with both DGSs and transmission system operators (TSOs) [2,3]. The ancillary services procurement certainly requires additional effort for DSOs that have to negotiate with multiple DGS owners [5]

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