High penetration PV active distribution network power flow optimization and loss reduction based on flexible interconnection technology

•Loss reduction effects of CB, RPFC, SOP and flexible load are compared and analyzed•SOP can compensate reactive power compared with RPFC, but SOP costs too much•RPFC and CB coordinated optimization can produce better economic benefit•Scheduling flexible load brings higher scheduling cost than loss reduction benefit In order to reduce the huge network loss due to power flow back-feed and transfer under a high percentage of photovoltaic (PV) access, a comparative study on the impact of Soft Open Point (SOP), Rotary Power Flow Controller (RPFC), Capacitor Banks (CB), and flexible load access on the distribution network is carried out. Firstly, the second-order cone model for active distribution network coordination optimization based on SOP or RPFC flexible interconnection is established with the lowest network loss of distribution network as the goal; secondly, the second-order cone model of distribution network under different configuration schemes is solved separately under the improved IEEE 33-bus distribution network; finally, the optimal loss reduction strategy is obtained by quantitative analysis.