Network-Cognizant Voltage Droop Control for Distribution Grids

This paper examines distribution systems that have a high integration level of distributed energy resources (DERs), and addresses the design of local control methods for real-time voltage regulation. Particularly, the paper focuses on proportional control strategies wherein the active and reactive power output of DERs are adjusted in response to (and proportionally to) local changes in voltage levels. The design of the voltage-active power and voltage-reactive power characteristics leverages suitable linear approximations of the ac power flow equations and is network-cognizant; that is, the coefficients of the controllers embed information on the location of the DERs and forecasted noncontrollable loads/injections and, consequently, on the effect of DERs power adjustments on the overall voltage profile. A robust approach is pursued to cope with uncertainty in the forecasted noncontrollable loads/power injections. The stability of the proposed local controllers is analytically assessed and numerically corroborated.