Optimal Power Flow

The PowerFactory Optimal Power Flow serves adds intelligence to the existing load flow functions. Where the standard load flow calculates branch flows and busbar voltages based on specified “set points” (active/reactive power generation, generator voltage, transformer tap positions, etc.), the OPF then calculates the “best possible” values for optimising a user-specified objective function and a number of user-defined constraints.

  • Optimisation of load flow according to user-selected objective functions
  • For AC Optimisation, standard solver or IPOPT solver
  • For DC Optimisation, standard CBC or LP solver, or commercial solvers such as CPLEX or GUROBI1

Reactive Power Optimisation

  • Minimisation of total or partial grid losses
  • Maximisation of reactive power reserve
  • Reactive Power Optimisation (interior point method)
  • Various controls such as:
    • Generator reactive power
    • Transformer and shunt taps
    • Static Var Systems
  • Flexible constraints such as:
    • Branch flow and voltage limits
    • Generator reactive power limits
    • Reactive power reserve
    • Boundary flows

Economic Dispatch

  • Requires OPF (Reactive Power Optimisation)
  • Various objective functions, e.g.:
    • Minimisation of losses
    • Minimisation of costs (eco dispatch)
    • Minimisation of load shedding
    • Optimisation of remedial post fault actions, e.g. booster tap changes (pre- to post fault)
  • AC optimisation (interior point method)
  • DC optimisation (linear programming)
  • Various controls such as:
    • Generator active and reactive power
    • Transformer, quad booster and shunt taps
    • Static Var Systems
  • Flexible constraints such as:
    • Branch flow and voltage limits
    • Generator active and reactive power limits
    • Active and reactive power reserve
    • Boundary flows
  • Contingency constraints (DC only)2

 

1 CPLEX and GUROBI licences to be purchased separately
2 Requires Contingency Analysis licence

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