Modelling and Performance Evaluation of Smart Transformer in Distribution Grids

Smart Transformers enable a stronger control of distribution grids, due to their advanced active/reactive power control capability. Redispachting the power in radial and meshed grids, the Smart Transformers are able to keep the voltage within limits and solve grid assets congestions. This paper offers the modelling of Smart Transformers for optimal power flow algorithms, in both radial and meshed grids. The Smart Transformer is compared with already implemented power electronics-based solutions, such as STATCOM or Soft Open Points, and its performance are validated in a large South-Italian distribution grid.