MPC Based Centralized Voltage and Reactive Power Control for Active Distribution Networks

• Published in: IEEE transactions on energy conversion Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 1537 - 1547
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Hoa Minh, Torres, Jose Luis Rueda, Leki, Aleksandra, Pham, Hoan V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.06.2021; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Active control; Active distribution networks; Artificial neural networks; Control systems design; Controllers; Distributed generation; Distribution networks; Electric potential; Electric power distribution; model predictive control; Networks; Operators (mathematics); Optimization; Power control; Predictive control; Proportional integral; Reactive power; reactive power management; Sensitivity; smart grids; Voltage; Voltage control
• ISSN: 0885-8969; 1558-0059
• DOI: 10.1109/TEC.2021.3054844

The paper presents an approach for online centralized control in active distribution networks. It combines a proportional integral (PI) control unit with a corrective control unit (CCU), based on the principle of Model Predictive Control (MPC). The proposed controller is designed to accommodate the increasing penetration of distributed generation in active distribution networks. It helps in continuously satisfying the reactive power requirements of the transmission system operators (TSOs), while maintaining an acceptable voltage profile in the active distribution network, and simultaneously minimizing the total active power losses. The controller also ensures compliance to operation requirements of distribution network operators (DNOs). By replacing the full load flow (LF) calculation with sensitivities, derived from a linearized model of the network, the controller can work in real-time applications. Moreover, the computational burden of the proposed controller is reduced since the CCU is activated only when a voltage violation or considerable change of operation condition occurs. The performance of the proposed controller is demonstrated on a 11-kV test network with 75 buses and 22 distributed generators.