Review of Voltage and Reactive Power Control Algorithms in Electrical Distribution Networks

Abstract

The traditional unidirectional, passive distribution power grids are rapidly developing into bidirectional, interactive, multi-coordinated smart grids that cover distributed power generation along with advanced information communications and electronic power technologies. To better integrate the use of renewable energy resources into the grid, to improve the voltage stability of distribution grids, to improve the grid protection and to reduce harmonics, one needs to select and control devices with adjustable reactive power (capacitor batteries, transformers, and reactors) and provide certain solutions so that the photovoltaic (PV) converters maintain due to voltage. Conventional compensation methods are no longer appropriate, thus developing measures are necessary that would ensure local reactive and harmonic compensation in case an energy quality problem happens in the low voltage distribution grid. Compared to the centralized methods, artificial intelligence (heuristic) methods are able to distribute computing and communication tasks among control devices.

A Comprehensive Review on Optimal Location and Sizing of Reactive Power Compensation Using Hybrid-Based Approaches for Power Loss Reduction, Voltage Stability Improvement, Voltage Profile Enhancement and Loadability Enhancement

“…Voltage variations are typically caused by inadequate reactive power supply due to the reactive power supply from generation side does not meet the reactive power demand required by load side. Besides, due to long radial feeders especially at rural areas, transmission of reactive power from supply to end users may be impossible [97]. This significantly leads to high voltage drop at end user bus voltage.…”

Development of smooth asymmetric reactive power compensators

“…The reactive power appears when there is phase displacement between the grid current and voltage and is measured in volt-ampere reactive (VAR) units. One of the now-days main problems of the electrical grid is compensation of the reactive power in the low voltage grid (Ali et al, 2018;Arshad & Lehtonen, 2018;Balcells & Bogónez-Franco, 2013;Beck, Berlovich, & Braunstein, 2016;Beck, Berlovich, Muller, et al, 2016;Bielskis et al, 2020;Bogónez-Franco et al, 2011;Charalambous et al, 2019;Deblecker et al, 2016;Dong et al, 2012;Gayatri et al, 2018;Ilisiu & Dinu, 2019;Li et al, 2011;Merai et al, 2015;Santacana et al, 2010;Stanelyte & Radziukynas, 2020;Trentini et al, 2012;Xu et al, 2010;Yong Xue et al, 2009) Since the low-voltage three-phase lines are often loaded asymmetrically (Charalambous et al, 2019;Pană et al, 2018aPană et al, , 2018bTong XiangQian et al, 2005), the low voltage three phase lines are often loaded asymmetrically, i.e. the reactive power, which has to be compensated, is different in different phases.…”

Implementation of a Photovoltaic Inverter with Modified Automatic Voltage Regulator Control Designed to Mitigate Momentary Voltage Dip

“…Finally, to demonstrate the relevance of the subject, which deals with reactive compensation and voltage controls in the distribution network, reference [20] presents an important paper titled "Review of Voltage and Reactive Power Control Algorithms in Electric Distribution Networks". They provide a bibliographical overview of the mathematical methods used for the optimal choice and positioning of reactive power compensation elements.…”

“…This paper, however, proposes a novel method for controlling the active and reactive powers, which has not been used in any technical research, since the AVR is used manage the inverter capacity, by reducing active power to make space for reactive power injection when needed. Such technique was not mentioned in the paper review [20].…”