Voltage Regulation Support Along a Distribution Line by a Virtual Power Plant Based on a Center of Mass Load Modeling

TL;DR

This paper introduces a voltage regulation method using a virtual power plant that models loads and generators as point weights, minimizing the distance between their centers of mass to stabilize voltages along distribution lines.

Contribution

It presents a novel load modeling approach based on centers of mass and a recursive re-dispatching technique for voltage regulation, reducing reliance on traditional tap changers.

Findings

Effective voltage stabilization on a real distribution line

Reduces activation of tap changing transformers

Applicable under critical loading scenarios

Abstract

A voltage regulation method for slow voltage variations at distribution level is proposed, based on a view of the loads, generators and storage along a distribution line as point weights. The "centers of mass" of the absorbed and injected currents (loads & generation, respectively) are compensated by minimizing the distance between them, through proper re-dispatching of the power of the available units and interruptible loads. The technique is recursively applied to lesser parts of the distribution line to address local phenomena and is assumed to be offered as ancillary service to the system operator by a Virtual Power Plant. The favorable results of the methodology are assessed on a distribution line of the island of Rhodes (Greece) under critical loading for numerous scenarios. Unlike previous approaches, the technique focuses specifically in the restoration of bus voltages within standard limits and may reduce the activation of on-line tap changing transformers control.