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This paper proposes an optimization approach for day-ahead reactive power planning to improve voltage security in transmission networks. The problem is formulated as a voltage-secure multi-period optimal reactive power dispatch (MP-ORPD) problem. The optimization approach searches for optimal set-points of dynamic and static reactive power (var) resources. Specifically, the output includes set-points for switching shunts, transformer taps, and voltage magnitudes at the regulated buses. The primary goal is to maximize the dynamic reactive power reserve of the system, by minimizing the reactive power supplied by synchronous generators. As the size of the MP-ORPD problem increases significantly with increasing number of contingencies and time periods, efficiency is crucial for practical applications. In this paper, a decomposition technique based on consensus and alternating optimization, where integer variable targets are obtained via MILP, is used to partition the MP-ORPD problem into a set of subproblems, which can be solved in parallel to reduce the computation time. The proposed MP-ORPD problem and its solution algorithm are integrated into the EPRI-VCA software. The results of various power networks of large electric utilities in the Eastern interconnection demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in providing preventive control schedules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing integration of utility-scale renewable energy sources (RESs) brings emerging challenges to the classical problems of voltage control in transmission grids, including increased potential for voltage violations. To address this challenge, we present a novel measurement-based coordinated voltage control scheme that can enable fast participation of RESs. In this approach, RESs are coordinated with the traditional voltage control devices such as synchronous generators (SGs) and static var compensators (SVCs) to maintain all bus voltages within operational limits while respecting device power limits. The control scheme allows different priorities to be assigned to different control resources, and ensures that both voltage and reactive power constraints are met in steady-state whenever it is possible to do so. The controller design requires only an approximate model of the steady-state relationships between voltage and reactive power in the system, and in online operation, processes voltage and reactive power measurements to produce set-point updates for RESs, SVCs, and SGs; this feedback provides robustness against both model uncertainty and unmeasured disturbances. The feasibility and effectiveness of the controller is demonstrated via simulation case studies on a detailed power system model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a novel hierarchical frequency and voltage control design for multi-area power system integrated with inverter-based resources (IBRs). The design is based on the idea of prioritizing the use of IBRs over conventional generator-based control in compensating for sudden and unpredicted changes in loads and generations, and thereby mitigate any undesired dynamics in the frequency or the voltage by exploiting their fast actuation time constants. A new sequential optimization problem, referred to as Area Prioritized Power Flow (APPF), is formulated to model this prioritization. It is shown that compared to conventional power flow APPF not only leads to a fairer balance between the dispatch of active and reactive power from the IBRs and the synchronous generators, but also limits the impact of any contingency from spreading out beyond its respective control area, thereby guaranteeing a better collective dynamic performance of the grid. This improvement, however, comes at the cost of adding an extra layer of communication needed for executing APPF in a hierarchical way. Results are validated using simulations of a 9-machine, 6-IBR, 33-bus, 3-area power system model, illustrating how APPF can mitigate a disturbance faster and more efficiently by prioritizing the use of local area-resources. • A new concept of "area-prioritization"-based power flow (APPF) dispatch is proposed to maximize the participation of inverter-based resources (IBRs) in frequency and voltage control. • A hierarchical computation architecture is developed to implement this prioritization. • Implementation steps are showcased via simulation of a 33-bus power system with 9 generators and 6 IBRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]