Verified load flow modelling and scenario simulation of a three-phase four-wire low voltage residential distribution network in Australia

The influx of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on distribution networks worldwide has presented many challenges for distribution network service providers (DNSPs) including voltage regulation and voltage imbalance in low voltage networks. In Australia, low voltage networks are typically not well monitored and accurate and reliable software models do not exist. As such, the impact of emerging technologies on low voltage networks are not well understood. This paper implements a distribution system load flow method in Matlab to model a section of Queensland DNSP Energex's low voltage network. The model is validated by comparing load flow results to recorded meter data and its use is then demonstrated by performing a scenario simulation whereby the radial network is meshed. It is observed that meshing of radial branches in the modelled network significantly improves voltage regulation and voltage imbalance.