Zone based optimal reactive power dispatch in smart distribution network using distributed generation

Abstract

Increased penetration of distributed generation in power distribution network influences voltage profile in power distribution network. As voltage is a local phenomenon, active power injection from DERs only effects voltage of buses in dose proximity. The voltage regulation problem can be solved effectively by dividing network into voltage control areas with high voltage interdependency. This paper proposes zones for voltage control through optimal reactive power dispatch for distributed generation to regulate voltage in the network. Zones were identified by using hierarchical agglomerative dustering algorithm based on voltage sensitivities to reactive power. A meta-heuristic algorithm was used for optimally determining the reactive power dispatch set points for distributed generators m each zone. Modified IEEE 37 node MV test network with distributed generation was used to evaluate the proposed voltage control scheme by using a co-simulation platform. Results showed that zone based reactive power dispatch is effective for improving voltage profile in the network.