A Fast Optimal Power Flow Algorithm Using Powerball Method

The complexity and randomness of the power system with distributed energy resources have led to the difficulties for fast optimal power flow (OPF) analysis. As a remedy, in this paper, we develop an interior point Powerball algorithm to accelerate the OPF solution process. To achieve better convergence characteristics, the proposed IPPB algorithm which is based on the Powerball optimization method, improves the search directions during iterative optimization by a nonlinear transformation. Also, a Newton—Raphson Powerball algorithm is derived for a faster power flow calculation, which is a basic yet critical part of the OPF problem. Numerical case studies are conducted on benchmark power systems with different scales to validate the proposed algorithms. Performances of the proposed algorithms to address improper initial points are studied by randomly picking the initial bus voltages. Numerical study results verify the feasibility and superiority of the proposed algorithms.