Optimal Operation of PV Integrated Smart Distribution Feeder

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic (PV) is the most widely used renewable energy source in the present time due to its cost-effective and eco-friendly advantages. It is also one of the important components of smart grid. A smart grid cannot achieve completeness unless this renewable energy source is integrated in it. However, integration of solar PV into distribution system poses various challenges like reverse power flow, voltage variation, harmonics etc. Moreover the distribution grids are not designed to accommodate such sources of energy. In order to overcome these challenges and achieve smart grid goals, Solar PVs have to be controlled in synchronization with other components of the distribution grid so that the optimal operation of the network can be achieved. For the optimal operation of a smart power system accurate decision making algorithm is required, which should not only be fast enough but able to give the decision under various nonhomogeneous conditions. This paper presents the convex optimization technique for a solar PV integrated network, in order to achieve the smart distribution grid goals such as the optimal flow of power, reduction in losses and improvement in voltage profile.

Keywords: Convex optimization, optimal power flow, solar PV integrated distribution system, interior point method

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