Optimal voltage control of small hydropower based on power dispatch and electricity price compensation strategy

Abstract

This paper is trying to settle the relatively high voltage problem caused by embedded small hydropower by presenting an optimal voltage control model, which is based on power dispatch and electricity price compensation strategy. First of all, electricity price compensation strategy was put to use in order to prevent profits of small hydropower owners from diminishing. Secondly, hourly net income growth of power bureau by power dispatch is defined as ΔP, and the optimal objective is to maximize it. Along with power flow constraints, price compensation strategy, voltage constraints, etc., the optimal voltage model is built. By solving the model, the optimal small hydropower outputs were got. In the simulation of the typical PG&E 33 nodes distribution network, particle swarm optimization algorithm was put in use to solve the model and finally the optimal solution was got, proving that the model is practical to most distribution networks including large number of small hydropowers. After optimization, premise of neither side's benefits was reduced, the voltages were working in the proper range, power loss decreased, and power that uploads to the upper grid was also diminished. © Springer-Verlag 2012.