Evaluation of Linear-Load Modelling Effects on Distribution Network Reconfiguration in the Presence of Harmonic Loads

Abstract

Recently, Power Quality is attracting the attention of researchers focused on distribution network reconfiguration. Mainly, harmonic distortion as an emerging issue of distribution networks plays an essential role in power quality-oriented network reconfiguration. Commonly, harmonic analysis of distribution networks is being performed while considering non-linear loads, capacitor banks, sub-transmission transformers, and line impedances. However, in harmonic analysis, the presence of linear loads and their effects are being neglected. Consideration of linear loads in harmonic analysis affects the impedance characteristic of the distribution network. Consequently, it changes the total harmonic distortion of bus voltages. In this paper, for the first time, exhaustive research is performed on the effect of linear loads in distribution network reconfiguration by considering five conventional linear load models. The evaluations are conducted on two balanced and unbalanced distribution networks: IEEE 69-bus and 95-bus practical Iranian distribution network using particle swarm optimization aiming to find the minimum total losses of the network. Comparison results confirm that the linear load modelling is very effective in the optimum configuration.