Coordinated Volt/Var Control for Distribution System based on Heuristic Algorithm

This paper presents a coordinated Volt/Var control strategy of smart distribution grids where the main objective is to minimize the active power losses (kW/h) of the system. The proposed methodology uses the heuristic algorithm which allows the central and coordinated control between voltage regulators, capacitor banks as well as electronic power devices (solid state transformer and others distributed resource). For validation propose and showing the effectiveness of this method, it was applied to a IEEE test network through an integrated interface between MATLAB and OpenDSS software. Two control structure were tested. In the first one, the network was simulated by applying traditional local control and the second one, the same network was simulated by centralized volt/var control developed. The proposal to compare the two structures is to show the reduction of the electric losses when an appropriate voltage and reactive control is applied. All results achieved the proposed objective, reducing the value of the electrical power losses in 24h period without violation the operation constraints established for the correct system operation.