Two-Level Optimisation and Control Strategy for Unbalanced Active Distribution Systems Management

This article proposes a new approach to the operation of unbalanced Active Distribution Systems (ADS) using an economic dispatch optimisation model for Active Distribution Systems Management (ADSM). The model proposes a two-level control strategy. The first one poses an optimisation problem with the objective of minimising total active power losses in the ADS and the second one proposes an algorithm that controls the position of the taps of three-phase on-load tap-changer (OLTC) transformers to ensure compliance with the technical constraints imposed by the Distribution System Operator (DSO). The optimisation problem is solved by MATLAB
^R
and DIgSILENT PowerFactory
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for power systems static simulations. This paper includes a novel peer to peer communication framework between MATLAB
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/DIgSILENT
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. The control and optimisation strategy is validated on the IEEE 34-Node Distribution Test Feeder. This network incorporates balanced and unbalanced three-phase loads, single-phase loads in the different phases, and two-phase loads. In this scientific paper, photovoltaic (PV) and wind power generation (WT) have been integrated to test feeder operation, with the support of battery energy storage systems (BESS). The correct operation of the proposed ADSM is demonstrated using numerical simulation on five scenarios considering several configurations of the renewable generation units and the batteries. The strategy has also been validated in a more extensive distribution network, proving its good performance.