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Distribution System Optimization

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A1: Smart Grids and Microgrids".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2019) | Viewed by 37400

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Prof. Dr. Fabrizio Pilo

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Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Cagliari, Piazza d’Armi, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Interests: distribution network planning and operation; distribution optimization techniques; distribution system reliability; co-simulation of ICT and power systems

Prof. Dr. Gianni Celli

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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Distribution system optimization has been attracting researchers for decades, but the dramatic revolution in power systems, which is particularly affecting the distribution business, requires new activity in the field, since many of the assumption that guided distribution optimization are no longer valid or should be discussed. Passive distribution systems with unidirectional power flows to feed loads have been replaced in many countries by active systems with bidirectional flows caused by dispersed generation. Pervasive ICT and automation technologies have brought operation to the distribution level, allowing fast reconfiguration and real-time optimization. Customers and prosumers can be more flexible and take an active role in the system by offering services thanks to smart meters, local generation, and energy storage devices. Such crucial changes are having a big impact on distribution planning and optimization, which are now much more complex and riskier than in the past, but are capable of giving all stakeholders significant opportunities to save/make money, improve the quality and resiliency of power delivery and to leave the next generations a greener world. The EU winter package 2016 is an example of the need for new optimization and planning techniques, since it explicitly requires the comparison of traditional distribution expansion plans with novel alternative actions such as purchasing services from customers or microgrids. For the aforementioned reasons, the Special Issue is looking for contributions on:

Integrated TSO/DSO planning and optimization under uncertainty;
Distribution optimization under uncertainty;
Cross-sectoral planning (multi-energy/multi-service optimization);
Emerging technologies and novel schemes (e.g. microgrids) in distribution optimization;
Distribution optimization and resiliency;
Artificial intelligence applied to distribution optimization;
Models of flexible demand/generation in distribution optimization;
Impact of services offered by microgrids and local energy communities on network architecture and system development.

Prof. Dr. Fabrizio Giulio Luca Pilo
Prof. Dr. Gianni Celli
Guest Editors

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Keywords

active distribution planning
microgrids
distribution optimization
distribution planning
flexibility
distributed energy resources
energy storage devices

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 10967 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthetic Models of Distribution Networks Based on Open Data and Georeferenced Information

by Giuditta Pisano, Nayeem Chowdhury, Massimiliano Coppo, Nicola Natale, Giacomo Petretto, Gian Giuseppe Soma, Roberto Turri and Fabrizio Pilo

Energies 2019, 12(23), 4500; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en12234500 - 26 Nov 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3654

Abstract

Many planning and operation studies that aim at fully assessing and optimizing the performance of the distribution grids, in response to the current trends, cannot ignore grid limitations. Modelling the distribution system, by including the electrical characteristics of the network (e.g., topology) and end user behaviors, has become complex, but essential, for all conventional and emerging actors/players of power systems (i.e., system and market operators, regulators, new market parties as service providers, aggregators, researchers, etc.). This paper deals with a methodology that, starting from publicly available open data on the energy consumption of a region or wider area, is capable to obtain reasonable load and generation profiles for the network supplied by each primary substation in the region/area. Furthermore, by combining these profiles with territorial and socio-economic information, the proposed methodology is able to model the network in terms of lines, conductors, loads and generators. The results of this procedure are the synthetic networks of the real distribution networks, that do not correspond exactly to the actual networks, but can characterize them in a realistic way. Such models can be used for all the kind of optimization studies that need to check the grid limitations. Results derived from Italian test cases are presented and discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution System Optimization)

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16 pages, 915 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Voltage Security-Constrained Optimal Generation Rescheduling for Available Transfer Capacity Enhancement in Deregulated Electricity Markets

by Oludamilare Bode Adewuyi, Mikaeel Ahmadi, Isaiah Opeyemi Olaniyi, Tomonobu Senjyu, Temitayo Olayemi Olowu and Paras Mandal

Energies 2019, 12(22), 4371; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en12224371 - 17 Nov 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2830

Abstract

Modern utilities are forced to operate very close to their loadable limits (maximum capacity) due to geographical, economical and some technical reasons. The deregulation of the power industry, the competitive nature of modern electricity markets and the continuous quest for modernization of cities and hamlets all over the world has also led to fast increase in the load demand. The stability of power systems all over the world are threatened with recurrent occurrences of voltage stability issues. Hence, Inter-zonal energy transactions between willing supplier and buyers need to be done with adequate consideration for power system security. In this work, a voltage security-constrained optimal generator active and reactive power rescheduling is carried out using the IEEE 30 and IEEE 57 bus systems. The simultaneous maximization of available transfer capacity (ATC) and voltage stability margin (VSM), using the weighted sum approach, is the objective function. Credible optimal power flow and power system security constraints are considered. Three variants of particle swarm optimization in MATLAB^® are used in this work for analyzing the results for objectivity. The technical and economic benefits of the optimal generator rescheduling on the system’s ATC, VSM, line losses, line flow and voltage profile are adequately analyzed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution System Optimization)

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16 pages, 2681 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Short-Term Operation Scheduling of a Microgrid under Variability Contracts to Preserve Grid Flexibility

by Sunwoong Kim, Dam Kim and Yong Tae Yoon

Energies 2019, 12(18), 3587; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en12183587 - 19 Sep 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2827

Abstract

The conventional microgrid (MG) price-based operation scheme with respect to the hourly market price considers only profit maximization from energy transactions and disregards variability. This causes flexibility burdens on the main grid system operator (SO), which must then utilize its ramping capability to cover the net load variability. As the proportion of renewable energy sources (RESs) involving intermittency in MGs continues to increase owing to global energy policies, net load variability within shorter time intervals has also increased, making proper management guidelines necessary. Thus, this paper proposes an MG-SO variability contract on intra-hour and inter-hour time intervals for regulating variability such that the SO can support and distribute its relevant costs between the MG and the SO. To prove the effectiveness of the proposed contract, an MG variability contract-based scheduling model is also proposed, and the results were compared with those of the price-based model. A case study demonstrates that the introduction of RESs increases the variability in shorter intervals and that the suggested contract is effective in terms of decreasing the variability with increased MG operating costs. A sensitivity analysis between the reduced variability and additional operating costs was also conducted in the case study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution System Optimization)

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15 pages, 2451 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution Reliability Optimization Using Synthetic Feeders

by Richard E. Brown and Rick Pinkerton

Energies 2019, 12(18), 3510; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en12183510 - 12 Sep 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2741

Abstract

Historical distribution system reliability optimization approaches have relied on the creation of detailed feeder reliability models, which is extremely labor-intensive. This paper presents a reliability optimization approach using synthetic feeders that does not require creating a topologically-precise model, but can still perform an overall system assessment considering a wide range of reliability improvement options for far less modeling effort. The synthetic feeder approach is then applied to Hawaiian Electric’s Oʻahu distribution system, to identify (1) the lowest cost required to achieve various levels of reliability improvement, and (2) an approximate reliability project portfolio for each level of spending. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution System Optimization)

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19 pages, 3613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distributed Ledger Technologies for Peer-to-Peer Local Markets in Distribution Networks

by Matteo Troncia, Marco Galici, Mario Mureddu, Emilio Ghiani and Fabrizio Pilo

Energies 2019, 12(17), 3249; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en12173249 - 23 Aug 2019

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 3878

Abstract

The newest Distributed Ledger Technology platforms, which delegate the execution of complex tasks in the form of Smart Contracts, make it possible to devise novel local electricity market frameworks, which are performed in a fully automated fashion. This paper proposes a novel fully automated platform for energy and ancillary service markets in distribution networks, able to run in a decentralized fashion, bypassing the need for a physical central authority. The proposed platform, able to perform the role of Virtual Decentralized Market Authority, shows excellent potential applications in the management of local ancillary service markets in local energy communities of various sizes. The proposed Virtual Decentralized Market Authority showed reasonable running costs and comparable technical management capabilities with respect to a physical, centralized managing authority. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution System Optimization)

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26 pages, 1438 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Load Areas in Radial Unbalanced Distribution Systems

by Giovanni M. Casolino and Arturo Losi

Energies 2019, 12(15), 3030; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en12153030 - 06 Aug 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2744

Abstract

The demand becoming flexible is a requirement for the full exploitation of renewable energy sources. Aggregation may foster the provision of flexibility by small-scale providers connected to distribution grids, since it allows offering significant flexibility volumes to the market. The aggregation of flexibility providers is carried out by the aggregator, a new market role and possibly a new market player. Location information of individual flexibility providers is necessary for both the aggregator and the system operators, in particular, the Distribution System Operator (DSO). For the former, information should allow treating a high number of individual flexibility providers as a single provider to offer significant flexibility volumes to the markets; for the latter, the information should ensure an adequate visibility of the connection of the individual providers to the grid. In the paper, the concept of Load Area (LA) is recalled, which combines the needs of location information of the aggregator and of the DSO. A method for the identification and modeling of LAs for the general case of unbalanced radial systems is proposed. The results of the methods’ application to two studied unbalanced networks are presented, showing the effectiveness and viability of the proposed approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution System Optimization)

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20 pages, 5936 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimal Conductor Size Selection in Distribution Networks with High Penetration of Distributed Generation Using Adaptive Genetic Algorithm

by Zhenghui Zhao and Joseph Mutale

Energies 2019, 12(11), 2065; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en12112065 - 30 May 2019

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2786

Abstract

The widespread deployment of distributed generation (DG) has significantly impacted the planning and operation of current distribution networks. The environmental benefits and the reduced installation cost have been the primary drivers for the investment in large-scale wind farms and photovoltaics (PVs). However, the distribution network operators (DNOs) face the challenge of conductor upgrade and selection problems due to the increasing capacity of DG. In this paper, a hybrid optimization approach is introduced to solve the optimal conductor size selection (CSS) problem in the distribution network with high penetration of DGs. An adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) is employed as the primary optimization strategy to find the optimal conductor sizes for distribution networks. The aim of the proposed approach is to minimize the sum of life-cycle cost (LCC) of the selected conductor and the total energy procurement cost during the expected operation periods. Alternating current optimal power flow (AC-OPF) analysis is applied as the secondary optimization strategy to capture the economic dispatch (ED) and return the results to the primary optimization process when a certain conductor arrangement is assigned by AGA. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for optimal CSS is validated through simulations on modified IEEE 33-bus and IEEE 69-bus distribution systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution System Optimization)

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15 pages, 4150 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Power-mileage-based Algorithm for the Optimization of Distribution Network Structures via Adding Transmission Lines

by Chengzhi Wei, Qiang Li, Minyou Chen, Wenfa Kang and Houfei Lin

Energies 2019, 12(9), 1623; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en12091623 - 29 Apr 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2263

Abstract

In remote areas, large power stations are often installed to supply local loads due to the difficulties of power transmission. However, with the development of renewable energies and poverty alleviation programs, many renewable energy stations have been installed in such areas. This large amount of surplus and fluctuating energy causes a poor voltage quality, and this problem is difficult to solve with traditional methods. Adding transmission lines can be a feasible solution, but the related research is limited. To provide a guideline for this solution, a network optimization algorithm is proposed in this paper. In the process, a sub-grid that is far from the national grid with an imbalanced power supply and demand is connected to the national grid directly to improve the power quality. First, the linear performance index power mileage is defined to facilitate the calculation and help denote the voltage quality. Then, an iterative algorithm is formed to perform the network optimization and automatically choose the number of clusters. A case study of an actual power grid in Chongqing, China, and an IEEE 123-bus case are used to verify our algorithm. The results show there is a great improvement in the voltage profile. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution System Optimization)

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19 pages, 1006 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Full Coverage of Optimal Phasor Measurement Unit Placement Solutions in Distribution Systems Using Integer Linear Programming

by Xuebing Chen, Lu Sun, Tengpeng Chen, Yuhao Sun, Rusli, King Jet Tseng, Keck Voon Ling, Weng Khuen Ho and Gehan A. J. Amaratunga

Energies 2019, 12(8), 1552; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en12081552 - 24 Apr 2019

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 2896

Abstract

Integer linear programming (ILP) has been widely applied to solve the optimal phasor measurement unit (PMU) placement (OPP) problem for its computational efficiency. Using ILP, a placement with minimum number of Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) and maximum measurement redundancy can be obtained while ensuring system observability. Author response: please delete this above sentence. However, the existing ILP-based OPP methods does not guarantee full coverage of solutions to the optimization problem, which may sequentially results in suboptimal supervision of the system. In this paper, a hybrid ILP-based method is proposed to cover all solutions to the OPP problem without any omission. Comparing with the existing exhaustive searching methods, the proposed method is more computationally efficient, which makes finding all solutions in a large system a more feasible problem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution System Optimization)

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18 pages, 2721 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Fault Line Selection Method for DC Distribution Network Using Multiple Observers

by Xipeng Zhang, Nengling Tai, Pan Wu, Xiaodong Zheng and Wentao Huang

Energies 2019, 12(7), 1245; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en12071245 - 01 Apr 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2068

Abstract

This paper proposes a method of fault line selection for a DC distribution network. Firstly, the 1-mode current is calculated using the measured currents of the positive and the negative line. Then, it is time reversed and further decomposed by wavelet technology. Secondly, the lossless mirror line network is established according to the parameters and the topology of the DC distribution network. Thirdly, it is presumed that several virtual current sources are employed at the locations where the corresponding observers are, and the values of these current sources are equal to the processed 1-mode currents. Fourthly, a fault is placed at every point of the lossless mirror line network the RMS value of every assumed fault current is calculated. During this process, the phase coefficient of every lossless mirror line is set to vary along with the length of the line obeying Gaussian distribution. Finally, the line with the peak value of the RMS values of the currents is selected as the fault line. The result of fault line selection is updated using the fewest observers that are set in advance according to the initial result. A DC distribution network is simulated in PSCAD/EMDTC to verify the correctness of the proposed method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution System Optimization)

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14 pages, 2655 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Historical Load Balance in Distribution Systems Using the Branch and Bound Algorithm

by Jorge Arias, Maria Calle, Daniel Turizo, Javier Guerrero and John E. Candelo-Becerra

Energies 2019, 12(7), 1219; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en12071219 - 29 Mar 2019

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3788

Abstract

One of the biggest problems with distribution systems correspond to the load unbalance created by power demand of customers. This becomes a difficult task to solve with conventional methods. Therefore, this paper uses integer linear programming and Branch and Bound algorithm to balance the loads in the three phases of the distribution system, employing stored data of power demand. Results show that the method helps to decrease the unbalance factor in more than 10%, by selecting the phase where a load should be connected. The solution may be used as a planning tool in distribution systems applied to installations with systems for measuring power consumption in different time intervals. Furthermore, in conjunction with communications and processing technologies, the solution could be useful to implement with a smart grid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution System Optimization)

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Review

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21 pages, 990 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review on Distribution Network Optimization under Uncertainty

by Huilian Liao

Energies 2019, 12(17), 3369; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en12173369 - 01 Sep 2019

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4079

Abstract

With the increase of renewable energy in electricity generation and increased engagement from demand sides, distribution network planning and operation face great challenges in the provision of stable, secure and dedicated service under a high level of uncertainty in network behaviors. Distribution network planning and operation, at the same time, also benefit from the changes of current and future distribution networks in terms of the availability of increased resources, diversity, smartness, controllability and flexibility of the distribution networks. This paper reviews the critical optimization problems faced by distribution planning and operation, including how to cope with these changes, how to integrate an optimization process in a problem-solving framework to efficiently search for optimal strategy and how to optimize sources and flexibilities properly in order to achieve cost-effective operation and provide quality of services as required, among other factors. This paper also discusses the approaches to reduce the heavy computation load when solving large-scale network optimization problems, for instance by integrating the prior knowledge of network configuration in optimization search space. A number of optimization techniques have been reviewed and discussed in the paper. This paper also discusses the changes, challenges and opportunities in future distribution networks, analyzes the possible problems that will be faced by future network planning and operations and discusses the potential strategies to solve these optimization problems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution System Optimization)

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