A New Approach for PV Nodes Using an Efficient Backward/Forward Sweep Power Flow Technique

Most of the distribution networks may contain reactive power sources such as distributed generators with reactive support, static VARs compensators or even switching capacitors. In this sense, it is necessary to have an appropriate and convenient model for controlled-voltage (PV) nodes to be applied in power flow distribution networks. On the other hand, the conventional power flow analysis has been an important tool for all power systems engineers. The nonlinear methods based on the Newton- Raphson method and its decoupled forms and the Gauss-Seidel with Ybus factorized method have been popular to nowadays. However, these methods have presented some convergence problems when are applied to distribution networks analysis. The reasons are the inherent characteristics of distribution networks, such as high r/x ratios, very low branch impedances, radial feeder configurations, among others. In this sense, the techniques based on Backward/Forward Sweep (BFS) methods for power flows have been widely applied in distribution systems. However, as above mentioned for controlled-voltage (PV) nodes some challenges in BFS power flow algorithms are presented, some authors have proposed hybrid methods, iterative methods, sensitivities matrix- based methods, among others. Unfortunately, those methods usually require complex formulations and long execution times. In this paper a new approach and easily controlled-voltage (PV) formulation joint with a simple power flows methodology, called LRSV method, is presented. The results show that this no-complex methodology permits to obtain better execution times, responses in a better way for different load, generation and configurations and some tests cases to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.