Real-time congestion management in active distribution network based on dynamic thermal overloading cost

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs) leads to capacity challenges, i.e. network congestions, in the low-voltage (LV) distribution networks. Different types of control strategies are being developed to tackle the challenges with direct switching actions such as load shedding or power curtailment. Alternatively, demand flexibility from the large number of DERs is being considered as a potential approach by influencing the individual end-users with various demand response (DR) programs. However, most of the DR-based solutions focus on scheduling phase, thus having a limitation to handle network issues in real-time grid operation. In order to improve DR's capability, besides a proper incentive scheme for involved actors, the DR-based approach needs to integrate network constraints and quantify this real-time information in its control process. In this paper, a novel method for real-time congestion management is proposed, which focuses on resolving the congestion problem at the MV/LV transformer. Detail models for different loads and thermal overloading of the MV/LV transformer are developed to realize the benefits of the demand flexibility. The overall performance of the integrated approach for the congestion management has been verified by a simulation with a typical LV network of the Netherlands.