Critical Load Restoration using Distributed Energy Resources for Resilient Power Distribution System (1912.04535v1)

Abstract: Extreme weather events have a significant impact on the aging and outdated power distribution infrastructures. These high-impact low-probability (HILP) events often result in extended outages and loss of critical services, thus, severely affecting customers' safety. This calls for the need to ensure resilience in distribution networks by quickly restoring the critical services during a disaster. This paper presents an advanced feeder restoration method to restore critical loads using distributed energy resources (DERs). A resilient restoration approach is proposed that jointly maximizes the amount of restored critical loads and optimizes the restoration times by optimally allocating grid's available DER resources. The restoration problem is modeled as a mixed-integer linear program with the objective of maximizing the resilience to post-restoration failures while simultaneously satisfying grid's critical connectivity and operational constraints and ensuring a radial operation for a given open-loop feeder configuration. Simulations are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach using IEEE 123-node feeder with 5 DERs supplying 11 critical loads and IEEE 906-bus feeder with 3 DERs supplying 17 critical loads. The impacts of DER availability and fuel reserve on restored networks are assessed and it is shown that the proposed approach is successfully able to restore a maximum number of critical loads using available DERs.

• The paper proposes a multi-objective mixed-integer linear program (MILP) leveraging Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) to maximize critical load restoration and enhance system resilience after extreme weather events.
• A key contribution is the inclusion of a resilience optimization objective that minimizes post-restoration disruptions by improving the robustness of the restored network configuration.
• The framework provides utility operators with a practical methodology, validated on standard IEEE test feeders, for creating dynamic restoration plans that efficiently utilize DERs during outages.

Overview of Critical Load Restoration Using Distributed Energy Resources for Resilient Power Distribution Systems

The research paper "Critical Load Restoration using Distributed Energy Resources for Resilient Power Distribution System" by Shiva Poudel and Anamika Dubey addresses the challenges faced by power distribution networks during extreme weather events. These high-impact, low-probability (HILP) events pose significant risks to aging power infrastructure, highlighting the pressing need for resilient distribution systems capable of quickly restoring critical loads.

Summary and Contributions

The authors propose an advanced feeder restoration method that leverages Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) to restore critical loads during outages. The primary goal is to optimize the allocation of DERs to maximize both the quantity of restored critical loads and the resilience of the system against future disruptions. This multi-objective approach is formulated as a mixed-integer linear program (MILP), ensuring adherence to critical connectivity and operational constraints while maintaining radial feeder operations.

Significant contributions of this paper include:

1. Resilience Optimization: The proposed method introduces a restoration objective that not only restores critical loads but also minimizes the likelihood of post-restoration disruptions by enhancing the resilience of restored networks.
2. Inclusion of Tie-Switches: The model incorporates tie-switches and open-loop configurations into the restoration plan, providing flexibility in path selection and improving restoration strategies without relying on search-based methods.
3. Equitable DER Allocation: By considering the duration of available DER energy in the optimization process, the method ensures a fair distribution of energy resources across critical loads.
4. Comprehensive Simulation and Validation: The efficacy of the proposed framework is validated through simulations on IEEE 123-node and 906-bus feeders, showcasing its ability to successfully restore maximal critical loads under various scenarios.

Numerical Results

The simulations demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the restoration strategy, achieving considerable reductions in effective restoration unavailability. For example, the IEEE 123-node feeder under minor damage conditions showed restoration of all 11 critical loads with an equitable distribution of DER resources. Similarly, the framework handled major network damages effectively, restoring the maximum feasible number of loads.

Theoretical and Practical Implications

Theoretically, the method advances the understanding of system resilience by introducing metrics that incorporate DER availability and system topology. Practically, it offers a robust framework for utility operators to develop dynamic restoration plans that optimize DER usage, thereby enhancing the reliability of critical infrastructure during extreme weather conditions.

Future Directions

Future research directions may include integrating real-time data-driven approaches to further optimize restoration strategies dynamically. Additionally, considering emerging DER technologies like Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) systems could provide further avenues to increase system resilience.

This paper contributes a valuable methodology to the domain of power distribution systems, emphasizing the strategic use of DERs for critical load restoration. By addressing both theoretical and practical considerations, the proposed solution aligns with contemporary needs for resilient and adaptive power networks.