Coordinated Control of Single-Phase End-Users for Phase Load Balancing in Active Electric Distribution Networks

Abstract

In the paper, a coordinated control methodology of single-phase (1-P) end-users switching operations on the phases of an active electric distribution network (AEDN) has been proposed to obtain a minimum unbalance degree at the coupling common point (CCP) level with the main distribution system. The phase load balancing (PLB) process considers the smart devices that switch the 1-P end-users (consumers and prosumers) from one phase to another to compensate for the phase load unbalance. The proposed methodology has been tested successfully in an AEDN belonging to a Romanian Distribution Network Operator (DNO) containing 114 end-users (104 consumers/10 prosumers) integrated into the Smart Metering System (SMS). The optimal solution leads to a value of the objective function by 1.00, represented by the unbalance factor (UF), which could be identified with the ideal target. A comparative analysis was conducted considering other possible PLB cases (the consumer-level PLB and prosumer-level PLB), obtaining similar values of the UF (1.027 vs. 1.028), slightly higher than in the hybrid-level PLB. Additionally, the significant technical benefits were quantified through an energy-saving of 58.73% and decreasing the phase voltage unbalance rate by 91% compared to the initial case (without PLB). These results emphasized the positive impact of the proposed coordinated control methodology on the PLB process and evidenced its effectiveness and applicability in the AEDNs.

Expert System Integrating Rule-Based Reasoning to Voltage Control in PV-Rich Low Voltage Electric Distribution Networks

“…Higher percentages, between 4.49% and 4.98 %, have been recorded for scenarios S71 -S75. In these conditions, the DNOs should be very careful and take additional measures to improve the voltage level in the LV EDN, and one of them can be the phase load balancing [51], taking into account the higher unbalance degree emphasized in the base scenario, S0.…”

“…These strategies should also use the latest technologies, such as smart devices/equipment that can process the data and help to identify the optimal solution [8]. The advanced technologies integrated into some equipment represented by automatic voltage regulators [9,10], energy storage systems [11,12], capacitor banks [13,14], or load balancing devices [15,16], but in a small percentage, especially in the pilot networks, can be observed in the LV EDSs. However, before they can be implemented widely and in correlation with each other, the DNOs should thoroughly analyse the cost-benefit of these technologies.…”

Expert System Integrating Rule-Based Reasoning to Voltage Control in Photovoltaic-Systems-Rich Low Voltage Electric Distribution Networks: A Review and Results of a Case Study

“…Thus, in at least 95% of the time slots, the voltages have been inside the range [−10%, +10%], according to the European Power Quality Standard. In these conditions, the DNOs should be very careful and take additional measures to improve the voltage level in the LVEDN, and one of them can be the phase load balancing [15], taking into account the higher unbalance degree emphasized in the base scenario, S0.…”

“…Developing new strategies will require more advanced voltage control technologies, including smart devices/equipment that can process the data and help to identify the optimal solution [8]. The advanced voltage control technologies, integrated especially in the pilot LVEDNs, are represented by automatic voltage regulators [9,10], energy storage systems [11,12], capacitor banks [13,14], or load balancing devices [15,16]. However, before they can be implemented widely and correlated with each other, DNOs should do a cost-benefit analysis.…”