Abstract
Electricity Distributions Networks (DNs) are changing from a once passive to an active electric power system element. This change, driven by several European Commission Directives and Regulations in the energy sector prompts the proliferated integration of new network elements, which can actively participate in network operations if adequately utilized. This paper addresses the possibility of using these active DN elements for optimization of a time-discrete network operation in terms of minimization of power losses while ensuring other operational constraints (i.e., voltage profiles and line currents). The active elements considered within the proposed optimization procedure are distributed generation units, capable of reactive power provision; remotely controlled switches for changing the network configuration; and an on-load tap changer-equipped substation, supplying the network. The proposed procedure was tested on a model of an actual medium voltage DN. The results showed that simultaneous consideration of these active elements could reduce power losses at a considered point of operation while keeping the voltage profiles within the permitted interval. Furthermore, by performing a series of consecutive optimization procedures at a given time interval, an optimization of network operations for extended periods (e.g., days, months, or years) could also be achieved.
Highlights
The European Union is transitioning towards a low-carbon society, driven by Directives and Regulations in the energy sector concerned with the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, with common rules for the internal market of electricity, with risk-preparedness in the electricity sector, and with energy efficiency [1]
The initial network operation is considered the one in which the network operates in a designed radial configuration (Feeders 1 and 2, and Feeders 1 and 3 decoupled as designed, i.e., in breakpoints with indices 9 and 20—see Figure 5) and with the tap position of on-load tap change (OLTC) set to +3 · 1.33%
Reactive power generated by distributed generation (DG) units in the network is determined from the available measurements
Summary
The European Union is transitioning towards a low-carbon society, driven by Directives and Regulations in the energy sector concerned with the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, with common rules for the internal market of electricity, with risk-preparedness in the electricity sector, and with energy efficiency [1]. Novel requirements for Distribution Network (DN) operation, presented in the “Clean Energy for all Europeans” package [2], prompt the development and integration of new elements, an electricity market, and services. If an element of a network can be controlled, it is an active element. The conventional methods of planning DNs, based only on deterministic, network solution planning, worst-case, and fit-and-forget methods, are considered obsolete and are being replaced by active planning approaches [3]. The consideration of active elements in these modern approaches should enable network operations and operations in extreme, still permissible conditions to have greater flexibility, which were previously not possible due to DN’s passive nature
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