Co-Optimizing Electric Tourist Buses and VSC to Enhance the Flexibility of Hybrid AC/DC Distribution Networks With Distributed PV

Large-scale integration of distributed photovoltaic (PV) and random charging of electric tourist buses (ETBs) pose a challenge to the operation of distribution networks in tourist attractions. Using voltage source converters (VSCs) to transform AC distribution networks into hybrid AC/DC distribution networks can effectively solve power quality issues. ETBs can also serve the distribution networks as mobile energy storage units when not engaged in traffic routines. This paper proposes a collaborative optimization method, which co-optimizes VSCs and ETBs to enhance the flexibility of hybrid AC/DC distribution networks and address the power quality issues. Besides, the proposed method can minimize power losses in distribution networks. To further consider the power consumption difference on mountain roads, an advanced time-space-SOC network (TSSN) model is proposed to model ETBs movement. Thus, the collaborative optimization method can be converted to a mixed-integer second-order cone programming (SOCP) problem and be solved by the solver. Simulation studies are performed to verify the proposed method.