Coordination of Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems and Distributed Generation in a Synthetic Co-simulation of Transmission and Distribution Network

Abstract

In ensuring sustainable power delivery under rapid growth in demand, modern power grids are characterized by advanced solutions such as flexible alternating current transmission systems and distributed generation. However, flexible alternating current transmission systems and distributed generations are often planned by their respective system operators, ignoring their coordination and impacting system-wide performance. This paper develops a bi-level optimization approach for flexible alternating current transmission systems and distributed generation coordination in an integrated transmission and distribution network to improve available transfer capability, power losses, and voltage deviation. The approach comprises inner and outer optimization. Inner optimization implements a hybrid of particle swarm optimization and Active Power Flow Performance Index for flexible alternating current transmission systems’ planning. At the same time, the outer optimization employs multi-objective particle swarm optimization, which targets distributed generation planning at the distribution network—the integrated transmission and distribution network models’ both transmission and distribution section. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed approach, two models of distributed generations, only real power and real and reactive power injections, were separately coordinated with a thyristor-controlled series compensator and static synchronous series compensator. Results show superior available transfer capability enhancement with thyristor-controlled series compensator–power injections and static synchronous series compensator–power injections, compared to the non-coordinated scenario. Pareto front plots of available transfer capability, power losses, and voltage deviation are such that after some maximum available transfer capability, the slope of the Pareto approaches zero.