Optimal Individual Phase Voltage Regulation Strategies in Active Distribution Networks with High PV Penetration Using the Sparrow Search Algorithm

Abstract

This study aimed to propose individual phase voltage regulation strategies using the sparrow search algorithm (SSA) in the IEEE 8500-node large-scale unbalanced distribution network with high photovoltaic (PV) penetration. The proposed approach is capable of individual phase regulation, which coordinates the on-load tap changer (OLTC), voltage regulator (VR), switched capacitor bank (SCB), and volt–var setting controlled by a smart inverter to improve voltage variation and unbalance. Consequently, the change time of VRs, the switched times of SCBs, and the individual phase voltage magnitude and unbalance ratio are considered in the fitness function for the SSA. The simulation scenarios fully consider the unbalanced load conditions and PV power output patterns, and the numerical results demonstrate that the voltage variation and unbalance are clearly improved, by 15% and 26%, respectively. The fitness values, operation times of OLTC, VR, and SCB, and the settings of the volt–var controlled smart inverter are also optimized by the SSA. The outcomes of this study are helpful for distribution system operators in formulating voltage control strategies corresponding to different system conditions.

Recent Versions and Applications of Sparrow Search Algorithm

“…The SSA was adapted to optimize individual phase voltage regulation strategies [ 53 ]. The primary aim of using the SSA is to improve voltage variation and unbalance.…”

“…The SSA is applied to solve different networking and communication problems. This include establish active distribution network dynamic reconfiguration integrated optimization [ 34 ], optimal individual phase voltage regulation strategies in active distribution networks with high PV penetration [ 53 ], feature selection for intrusion detection [ 11 ], malicious URL classification model [ 70 ], and stochastic configuration network [ 21 ].…”

Dynamic Path Planning of Mobile Robot Based on Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm

“…The sparrow search algorithm (SSA), as a brand-new meta-heuristic algorithm first put forward by Xue [ 25 ] in 2020, is mainly motivated by the sparrows’ foraging and anti-predator behavior, which has a higher convergence speed and a greater capacity for optimization on benchmark functions when compared to other classical algorithms. With the improvement in its performance, it is widely used in various research fields, such as path planning [ 26 ], the voltage regulation of a distribution network [ 27 ], battery health prediction [ 28 ], micro-grid operations planning [ 29 ] and so on. Nonetheless, similar to other swarm intelligence optimization techniques, the population diversity of the SSA will progressively decline in subsequent iterations, and it is simple for it to enter a local optimum.…”

Analysis of Traditional and Alternative Methods for Solving Voltage Problems in Low Voltage Grids: An Estonian Case Study

“…For example, most residential electricity consumers are single-phase loads contributing to the voltage unbalance phenomenon that is always present, to some extent, in low voltage distribution networks. Single-phase photovoltaics, residential battery energy storage, and home electric vehicle charging stations [16][17][18] could further increase the voltage unbalance in the network. With the rapid changes imposed by stochastic charging activities, such a trend inevitably increases the difficulty of keeping an acceptable voltage profile in the distribution systems [19].…”