An Approximate Method for Loss Sensitivity Calculation in Unbalanced Distribution Systems

Recent studies have shown that locational marginal pricing (LMP) model can be extended to the electric distribution system to create better economic and operational signals. Loss sensitivity calculation is an important requirement for calculating distribution LMP. This letter proposes a novel approximate approach for calculating nodal loss sensitivities for large unbalanced radial distribution networks. The method has been further validated through perturbation studies performed with the IEEE 8500-node model. The results from this work can help facilitate further studies and implementation of distribution LMP in practical electrical distribution systems.