Three-stage resilience-oriented active distribution systems operation after natural disasters

Abstract

Increasing energy demand and the industrialization of communities have been the leading causes of climate change. As a result, natural disasters have increased blackouts in power systems. Climate change mitigation should be a global goal of communities. Since natural disaster occurrence has risen recently, rapid system restoration after natural disasters is essential. Mitigation of global warming is inextricably linked to the mechanisms and architecture of energy systems. Energy resilience is a multi-dimensional solution to this problem. In this research, resilient strategies for dealing with natural disasters have been examined. Implementing distributed energy resources (DERs), smart distribution networks, and defining load priority based on consumers’ preferences have made a viable solution to the post-disaster operation. Previous efforts cared more about the generation and transmission sectors. This study focused on active distribution systems (ADSs) because distribution systems, as a vital part of energy systems, have not sufficiently contributed to crisis management. A framework for resilience enhancement to smartening conventional distribution systems against natural disasters has been proposed. Three-stage socio-technical optimization was investigated, including optimal allocation of battery storage systems (BESSs), intentional islanding, and optimal power flow (OPF) in MATLAB and DIgSILENT. This optimization presents a decision-making tool for distribution system operators to quickly prepare the system against natural disasters. By applying eight scenarios in the proposed system, in the best scenario (CS4), the recovered power value (RPV) has increased from 38% to more than 99% (more than 61% increase in the resilience index). The amount of supplied load increased from 56% to 92%. Furthermore, prioritizing crucial consumers and reconfiguration are two primary crisis management tools. This approach creates a solid ground for avoiding the social consequences of natural disasters like electrocution and power outages of priority consumers. Failure to apply these two techniques would result in a 21% reduction in the RPV.