OPF Techniques for Real-Time Active Management of Distribution Networks

This paper presents a method for real-time active network management (ANM) control to maximize network-wide energy yield in constrained networks. Coordinated scheduling of renewable distributed generation (DG) and distribution network control assets can limit DG curtailment and significantly increase energy yield and economic performance of DG. Here, an optimal power flow approach has been developed for real-time online scheduling of network control settings to better integrate high levels of temporally and spatially variable DG from renewable energy resources. Results show that the real-time prescription of ANM control settings provides a feasible alternative to network reinforcement under the existing passive management philosophy.