The Impacts of Spatially Distributed Demand Growth and Load Modelling on Distribution Network Operation

The continuous demand growth in the power systems will change the load composition and load models. This paper illustrates the impact of load growth and load models on the steady-state operation of the distribution network by conducting a range of case studies. The load growth was modelled by increasing the loads at particular geographical locations in the network and load types to 230% or until the load flow (LF) simulation stopped converging. The analysed load models included different static load models, such as polynomial and constant power load models. The LF simulations were conducted in DIgSILENT PowerFactory. The simulation results demonstrated how load models affect the network’s ability to withstand demand increase before the LF simulation collapses. The results also showed how the loads’ sizes and locations of synchronous generators impact the line loadings, line active power losses, and bus voltages.