Hybrid Methods in Solving Alternating-Current Optimal Power Flows

TL;DR

This paper explores hybrid approaches combining convex relaxations and Newton methods to solve polynomial optimization problems in AC optimal power flow, aiming to improve computational efficiency and solution accuracy.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hybrid method that switches from convex relaxation to Newton's method on the non-convex Lagrangian for ACOPF problems.

Findings

Hybrid approach improves solution accuracy.

Switching strategy reduces computational time.

Method effectively handles large-scale power systems.

Abstract

Many steady-state problems in power systems, including rectangular power-voltage formulations of optimal power flows in the alternating-current model (ACOPF), can be cast as polynomial optimisation problems (POP). For a POP, one can derive strong convex relaxations, or rather hierarchies of ever stronger, but ever larger relaxations. We study means of switching from solving the convex relaxation to Newton method working on a non-convex Lagrangian of the POP.