Impact studies of unbalanced multi-phase distribution system component models

This panel summary will discuss the impact of multi-phase component models on distribution system analysis. Specifically, power flow results of a test distribution system modeled with balanced or decoupled component models will be compared to those of a full unbalanced, multi-phase analysis. Balanced approximations model the distribution system as a strictly three-phase balanced network with balanced loads. A decoupled approximation models the system as three, single-phase, decoupled systems. It will be shown that the resulting power flow solutions yield significant differences. The effect of these inaccuracies on distribution system planning and operation will be discussed.