Generic optimal power flow for active distribution networks

Abstract

Active distribution networks (ADN) may operate in different modes according to the generation demand balance and the capacity of the primary grid for imposing a constant frequency. Conventionally, a customized optimization model is used for each operating mode. Unlike that conventional approach, this article proposes a general optimization model capable of operating the system in three different modes: grid-connected, islanded with a surplus of generation, and islanded with a deficit of generation. Real-time operation is required in this framework with guarantees such as global optimum, uniqueness of the solution, and fast algorithm convergence; for this reason, a convex approach is employed for grid modeling. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed optimization-based operation model can handle the three types of operation while ensuring the safety operation with frequency and voltage within expected limits.