The potential of network state-based algorithm selection to improve power flow management

Power flow management, within an active network management scheme, curtails generators' output in order to alleviate overloads on network branches. In this paper, several algorithms for power flow management - based on constraint satisfaction, optimal power flow, and power flow sensitivity factors - are applied to a version of the IEEE 14-bus system. Depending on the network state, the algorithms vary in their ability to alleviate overloads and the amount of curtailment they apply. A performance benefit is demonstrated from appropriately selecting which algorithm to use based on network state, rather than always using the same algorithm for all network states. The paper also contains an overview of how systems could be built to select algorithms based on measurements of network state.