PV Inverter Reliability Constrained Volt/Var Control With Power Smoothing via a Convex-Concave Programming Method

Abstract

Intensive use of photovoltaic (PV) inverter in the volt/var control (VVC) methods in active distribution networks can impair inverter reliability. This article proposes a PV inverter reliability-constrained (PiReCon-) VVC method with a power smoothing scheme under uncertainties. First, considering impacts on inverter reliability, new reliability constraints are developed with a power smoothing factor to constrict inverter apparent power variation. Second, a new VVC optimization model is proposed with the reliability constraints, which minimizes power losses by optimizing both inverter var output and PV curtailment. Uncertainties of PV generation and loads are fully considered and addressed via a stochastic optimization method. Third, this article develops a penalty convex-concave programming method to effectively tackle nonconvexity of the proposed optimization model. The proposed PiReCon-VVC method is tested on a 33-bus distribution network, and simulation results verify its high efficiency in both minimizing the power losses and enhancing the PV inverter reliability.