Voltage Control in Smart Distribution Network with High Integration of DERs

Abstract

The thesis aims to address research questions of how the high integration of distributed energy resources (DER) influences the voltage profile of the distribution network and how the smart converters in DERs can be utilized to address voltage violations. For this purpose, the thesis investigates the coordinated active and reactive power control in smart converters to mitigate voltage violations. To consider the complex modelling of DER-enriched DN, a data-driven model based on the information of the network from measurement devices was implemented to formulate the optimal control problem. Secondly, the real-time optimal reactive power control was executed utilizing cyber-physical co-simulation which reproduces grid behavior and incorporates mutual interactions of voltage controllers with the DN. The investigation was carried out on various IEEE test distribution networks such as the European LV network and the CIGRE MV network. Finally, the thesis also reports on a new real-time co-simulation framework, which combines distribution network power flow simulations in OpenDSS with Typhoon HIL real-time simulator considering the advantages of algorithms prototyping in a Python environment. In addition, the Typhoon HIL SCADA system was developed to communicate and exchange information on DN and control signals information between OpenDSS and the real-time simulator.