Towards Reliability-Aware Active Distribution System Operations: A Sequential Convex Programming Approach

TL;DR

This paper introduces a sequential convex programming method to optimize DER control in active distribution systems, explicitly considering decision- and environment-dependent reliability to improve system robustness and reduce failures.

Contribution

It presents a novel reliability-aware optimization model that integrates failure probabilities based on operational decisions and environmental factors, addressing non-convex challenges with sequential convex programming.

Findings

Enhanced system robustness under varying conditions

Effective power flow adjustments for reliability

Potential for DERs to improve distribution reliability

Abstract

The increasing demand for electricity and the aging infrastructure of power distribution systems have raised significant concerns about future system reliability. Failures in distribution systems, closely linked to system usage and environmental factors, are the primary contributors to electricity service interruptions. The integration of distributed energy resources (DER) presents an opportunity to enhance system reliability through optimized operations. This paper proposes a novel approach that explicitly incorporates both decision- and context-dependent reliability into the optimization of control setpoints for DERs in active distribution systems. The proposed model captures how operational decisions and ambient temperature impact the likelihood of component failures, enabling a balanced approach to cost efficiency and reliability. By leveraging a logistic function model for component failure rates and employing a sequential convex programming method, the model addresses the challenges of non-convex optimization under decision-dependent uncertainty. Numerical case study on a modified IEEE $33$-bus test system demonstrates the effectiveness of the model in dynamically adjusting power flows and enhancing system robustness under varying environmental conditions and operational loads. The results highlight the potential of DERs to contribute to distribution system reliability by efficiently managing power flows and responding to fluctuating energy demands.