The flexibility of interior point based optimal power flow algorithms facing critical network situations

The analysis of problems associated with the optimization of the resources available in production and transmission electric networks needs calculation instruments that can identify the critical situations for which no feasible working point exists and indicate the countermeasures necessary to restore service security and quality. This paper describes the extensions of the basic optimal power flow model for the analysis of problems concerning the installations of reactive power shunt compensators and the optimization of load shedding. The procedures, tested on several real networks having various characteristics and sizes (up to 1500 nodes), proved to be more accurate than the traditional de-coupled programs of optimal power flow. The utilization of the procedures does not require a preliminary study of the network, as, differently from traditional methods, it is not necessary to provide a starting working point. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.