Optimum configuration for AC/DC converters of DC distribution network

Summary Direct current (DC) distribution system might have two or more alternating current (AC)/DC interface converters, that is, one converter controlling the DC voltage and the others controlling their power injections. In this paper, an approach is proposed to address the configuration problem for the converters of DC distribution system. In order to improve the computational efficiency of the configuration process, the number of the interface converters is estimated and used for subsequent calculations. Then, a genetic algorithm is applied to minimize the total number of nodes whose voltages exceed the limits when N − 1 line contingency occurs. A new calculation method of objective function is also proposed, where a continuation power flow method is adopted for computational efficiency. The proposed configuration approach is verified with a 32‐node DC distribution system, and the configuration scheme of the AC/DC interface converters is obtained. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.