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This paper develops a new control strategy for voltage source converter (VSC) based multi-terminal high voltage dc (MT-HVDC) grids for enhancing the mutual frequency support between MT-HVDC interconnected asynchronous ac systems. The existing droop control structure of VSCs is augmented with an additional feedback voltage-based loop that generates a voltage shifting term to be added to the original dc voltage reference. The addition of this integrator-based controller nullifies the difference between voltage errors seen at adjacent converter stations. This action helps to overcome inaccuracies in the mutual frequency support caused by the uneven voltages across a dc system. The proposed strategy uses only local variables for the continuous-time control; thus, it does not rely on a high-bandwidth communication network, and its performance is not affected by the change of ac systems’ parameters. Modal analysis is carried out to investigate the stability of the proposed controller. Finally, comprehensive simulation studies are used to verify the proposed strategy’s performance and compare it with recently reported alternative controllers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AC/DC hybrid microgrids (HMGs) represent a promising architecture that allows the hosting of a mix of ac/dc energy resources and ac/dc loads. Despite their potential, when islanded, HMGs impose operational challenges among of which are precise and stable power sharing, frequency restoration, and voltage regulation. Imprecise power sharing can result in some distributed generators (DGs) being overloaded, while others being underloaded. This article proposes an optimal-power-flow-based optimal power sharing (OPS) scheme to optimize the droop characteristics of DGs and interlinking converters for global power sharing in a multi-DG HMG regardless of DG location and type. The optimized droop parameters might jeopardize the microgrid stability. Thus, the proposed OPS scheme preserves stable power sharing through stability-constrained optimization of the droop characteristics. In addition to DG overloading because of unequal power sharing, voltage-sensitive loads could possibly suffer from voltage deviations because of drooping the voltage with the load increase. The proposed OPS strategy enjoys the ability to regulate the ac/dc voltage within a desired range and restore the nominal frequency. Steady-state and time-domain simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed sharing scheme in achieving the underlying objectives. Test results also prove the capability of the OPS scheme in zonal power sharing in the case of a distribution grid with multizone ac/dc microgrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major concern associated with the connection of distributed generators (DGs) to distribution systems is the voltage rise problem. A solution introduced in many voltage control schemes is DG active power curtailment. However, this measure has a negative effect on both DG revenue and DG investment. This paper proposes the use of existing system resources to mitigate the voltage rise problem. Based on the big bang-big crunch optimization and the reactive power compensation method, the new technique controls the distribution system voltage profile while avoiding DG active power curtailment. The proposed method minimizes voltage deviations by determining the regulator taps and reactive power contributions of both the capacitors and the DGs. The approach is implemented online by a central control unit that optimally determines appropriate control decisions and then communicates them to the voltage regulators, capacitors, and DGs. Eliminating the voltage deviation problem associated with the network installation of DGs provides a cost-effective means of increasing DG penetration. The new algorithm was implemented and tested on the 33-bus test feeder. The results demonstrate the effective control of the voltage profile and fast convergence speed provided by the developed technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a two-stage energy management scheme (EMS) for AC–DC hybrid smart distribution systems (DSs). The proposed EMS is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem to minimize the DS operation costs and energy losses. The proposed EMS is achieved in two stages. In the first stage, a network reconfiguration algorithm determines the optimal day-ahead reconfiguration schedule for a hybrid DS. In the second stage, a real-time optimal power flow algorithm determines the real-time operational schedule of the energy resources. This paper also introduces a new linearized power flow model for AC–DC hybrid DSs. This new model facilitates the formulation of the first-stage algorithm as a mixed-integer linear programming problem and the formulation of the second-stage algorithm as a linear programming problem. The proposed two-stage EMS was tested on a case study of a hybrid DS that included different types of loads and distributed generators. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed EMS: the optimal day-ahead reconfiguration schedule was successfully obtained in the first stage, and the proper and optimal real-time operation was achieved in the second stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deployment of smart grids has facilitated the integration of a variety of investor assets into power distribution systems, giving rise to the consequent necessity for positive and active interaction between those investors and local distribution companies (LDCs). This paper proposes a novel incentive-based distribution system expansion planning model that enables an LDC and distributed generation (DG) investors to work in a collaborative way for their mutual benefit. Using the proposed model, the LDC would establish a bus-wise incentive program based on long-term contracts, which would encourage DG investors to integrate their projects at specific system buses that would benefit both parties. The model guarantees that the LDC will incur minimum expansion and operation costs while concurrently ensuring the feasibility of DG investors’ projects. To derive appropriate incentives for each project, the model enforces several economic metrics including internal rate of return, profit investment ratio, and discounted payback period. All investment plans committed to by the LDC and the DG investors for the full extent of the planning period are then coordinated accordingly. Several linearization approaches are applied to convert the proposed model into an MILP model. The intermittent nature of both system demand and wind- and PV-based DG output power is handled probabilistically, and a number of DG technologies are taken into account. Case study results have demonstrated the value of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel stochastic planning model for AC-DC hybrid distribution systems (DSs). Taking into account the possibility of each line/bus being AC or DC, the model finds the optimal AC-DC hybrid configuration of buses and lines in the DS. It incorporates consideration of the stochastic behavior of load demands and renewable-based distributed generators (DGs). The stochastic variations are addressed using a Monte-Carlo simulation technique. The objective of the planning model is the minimization of DS installation and operation costs. The optimal planning solution is obtained by dividing the hybrid planning problem into two nested optimization problems: 1) the main problem is formulated using a genetic algorithm (GA) to search for the optimal AC-DC configuration and 2) the subproblem is used for determining the optimal power flow solution for each configuration generated by the GA. The proposed model has been employed for finding the optimal configuration for a suggested case study that included photovoltaic panels, wind-based DG, and electric vehicle charging stations. The same case study was also solved using a traditional AC planning technique in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model and the associated cost-savings. The results demonstrate the advantages offered by the proposed model. The proposed framework represents an effective technique that can be used by DS operators to identify the optimal AC-DC network configuration of future DSs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents a novel probabilistic distribution load flow (PDLF) algorithm to study the effect of connecting a wind turbine (WT) to a distribution system. This probabilistic approach is used to capture the stochastic behavior of the generation of WTs. Three different models of WTs are developed to be embedded in the PDLF. Consequently, a probabilistic approach to evaluate the impact of wind penetration into distribution systems is developed. Futhermore, the effect of WT penetration on feeder losses, voltage profile and substation powers is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper a decentralized reactive power control scheme is proposed to optimally control the switched capacitor in the system in order to minimize system losses and maintain acceptable voltage profile. The proposed technique is based on placing a remote terminal unit (RTUs) at each DG and each at line capacitor. These RTUs being coordinated together through communication protocols form a multiagent system. Novel decentralized algorithm is proposed to estimate the voltage profile change as a result of injecting reactive power at the capacitor bus. Simulation results are presented to show the validity and the effectiveness of the proposed technique. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Distributed generation (DG) exists in distribution systems and is installed by either the utility or the customers. This paper proposes a novel utilization of the existing DG interface to not only control the active power flow, but also to mitigate unbalance, harmonics and voltage flicker, and manage the reactive power of the system. The proposed flexible distributed generation (FDG) is similar in functionality to FACTS, but works at the distribution level. Moreover, a novel recursive least square (RLS) structure is presented. The new structure is applied to multi-output (MO) systems for parameter tracking/estimation, and is called MO-RLS. It is dedicated to symmetrical components estimation. An innovative processing unit-based RLS is investigated to deal with unbalance, harmonics, and reactive power compensation. In addition, this paper portrays a technique for flicker mitigation based on the RLS algorithm for instantaneous tracking of the measured voltage envelope. One advantage of the proposed control system is its insensitivity to parameter variation, a necessity for distribution system applications. Simulations of the suggested FDG based control algorithm are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]