Solving the Steady-State Power Flow Problem on Integrated Transmission-Distribution Networks: A Comparison of Numerical Methods

Steady-state power flow models are essential for daily operation of the electricity grid. The changing electrical environment requires a shift from separated power flow models to integrated transmission-distribution power flow models. Integrated models incorporate the coupling of the networks and the interaction that they have on each other, representing the power flow within this changing environment accurately. In this paper we conduct a comparison study on the numerical performance of methods that solve the integrated power flow problem. The methods of study can be divided into unified or splitting methods. In addition, the integrated networks can be modeled as homogeneous or as hybrid networks. Our study shows that the methods have several advantages and disadvantages, but that unified methods in combination with hybrid network models have the best numerical performance. Splitting methods running on hybrid network models have an advantage when full network data sharing between system operators is not allowed.