A criticality criterion to decrease the computational burden in multistage distribution system optimal power flow

As the penetration of distributed generation and storage means in the distribution system is expected to increase, new tools for its planning and operation will be needed and optimal power flow calculations will certainly play a prominent role. However, obstacles have to be overcome before these can be deployed, among which their computational burden is of particular concern. Consequently, we introduce here the use of a criticality criterion aimed at detecting for which time steps the voltage constraints need to be evaluated. We apply the methodology to a distribution system extracted from the literature and discuss the influence of various parameters on the validity of the methodology and the computational gains expected.