Centralized Support Distributed Voltage Control by Using End-Users as Reactive Power Support

New generation of loads and the power factor correction devices of these loads provides an opportunity for distribution system operators to use them as reactive power support. In this paper, the integration of these end-user reactive-power-capable devices is investigated to provide voltage support to the grid. Due to the limitation on the number of smart homes, at first, the effective locations for injecting the reactive power into the distribution system is determined (i.e., Q-C buses) and showed how reactive power resources connected at those buses can be controlled. For control purposes, centralized support distributed voltage control (CSDVC) algorithm is proposed and the distribution system is decomposed into different areas by using ε-decomposition. Then Q-C buses, as the candidate buses, for providing reactive power are obtained. Optimum reactive power injection in every candidate bus in each area and tap position of the regulator, if necessary, is calculated by using genetic algorithm. The CSDVC is proposed to cover the inaccuracy of the loads forecasting and the control area centers faults, and also to provide secure reactive power control. The proposed approach is tested on the IEEE 33 and 69 buses distribution test systems.