Analyzing the Impact of Distributed Generation on Optimal Power Flow (OPF)

Utility power systems are faced to an increasing number of small size producers requiring interconnection, particularly to the low voltage network. Since most distribution systems are not designed to accept large scale power injections, these small generation units may impact on their interconnected networks. The quality of the supplied energy may be altered and the reliability and the safety of the whole distribution system from low to medium voltage levels may be affected. In this paper, first, importance and place of distributed generation (DG) in conventional power systems according to restructuring and deregulating of power industry is discussed. Then, impact of DG on power system operational characteristics such as flow of lines, voltage profile and losses is considered. Optimal power flow (OPF) as a tool for determining the optimal manner of network operation and models of DG in OPF study is explained. Finally OPF aspect of DG allocation on two sample network via “MATPOWER” software is studied and corresponding results are demonstrated.

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Index Terms—Distributed Generation , Optimal Power Flow (OPF) , Distribution Network , MATPOWER