Distributed Optimization in Distribution Systems with Grid-Forming and Grid-Supporting Inverters

TL;DR

This paper develops a distributed optimization framework for distribution system OPF that explicitly models various inverter types, including grid-forming and grid-supporting, to improve computational efficiency and solution quality.

Contribution

It introduces a new OPF model incorporating diverse inverter functionalities and proposes a domain-specific distributed algorithm for radial distribution systems.

Findings

Enhanced OPF model with multiple inverter types

Efficient distributed algorithm reduces communication rounds

Improved solution quality for distribution system optimization

Abstract

With massive penetrations of active grid-edge technologies, distributed computing and optimization paradigm has gained significant attention to solve distribution-level optimal power flow (OPF) problems. However, the application of generic distributed optimization techniques to OPF problems leads to a very large number of macro-iterations or communication rounds among the distributed computing agents delaying the decision-making process or resulting in suboptimal solutions. Moreover, the existing distribution-level OPF problems typically model inverter-interfaced distributed energy resources (DERs) as grid-following inverters; grid-supporting and grid-forming functionalities have not been explicitly considered. The added complexities introduced by different inverter models require further attention to developing an appropriate model for new types of inverter-based DERs and computationally-tractable OPF algorithms. In this paper, we expand the distribution-level OPF model to include a combination of the grid-forming, grid-supporting, grid-following inverter-based DERs and also present the application of a domain-specific problem decomposition and distributed algorithm for the topologically radial power distribution systems to efficiently solve distribution-level OPF problem.