Multi-Objective Optimal Active and Reactive Power Dispatch for Centrally Controlled Distributed PV Systems

Presently one of the main challenges in the low voltage distribution network (LVDN) is maintaining voltage regulation caused by reverse active power flow from high penetrations of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems. To maintain voltage regulation and increase PV hosting capacity, this paper proposes a centralised power dispatch controller (CPDC) that optimizes nodal voltages of a LV distribution network by regulating active and reactive power produced from each PV system on the network. The objectives of the centralized power dispatch controller are to maximize active power generation and minimize reactive power consumption for each distributed PV system based on their meter point reference number (MPRN) while not exceeding network voltage limits. The CPDC solves a multi-objective optimization problem (MOOP), constrained by voltage deviation from a reference value and reactive power limits. To validate the CPDC time varying phasor simulations are performed with real irradiance input data with a resolution of 5 minutes operating over a 24 hour period on a European commercial LV network.