Load management in smart grids considering harmonic distortion and transformer derating

This paper addresses the important issue of power quality management for smart grids and proposes a load management strategy based on transformer derating for minimizing harmonic distortion in distribution feeders and transformers. Ongoing development of smart grid technologies such as smart metering and smart appliances are creating new opportunities for improving distribution system performance. One area undergoing study is effective control of demand response through (semi)automated load management practices (e.g., smart appliances). Despite these developments, the impact on power quality has not been taken into consideration from a demand side management point of view. Smart grids provide an excellent opportunity to better manage power quality and reduce harmonic distortions present in power networks. In this paper, it is proposed that the impact of harmonics generated by nonlinear loads should be factored into overall load control strategies of smart appliances. This work focuses on the impact on residential distribution transformers which are adversely impacted by harmonic current distortions. A growing concern is the potentially high penetration of plug-in electric vehicles in smart grids. Load management of electric vehicles is studied for an IEEE 30-bus 23 kV distribution system to demonstrate the benefits of the proposed power quality and load management strategy. This paper proposes computing transformer K-Factor derating to control scheduling of smart appliances/loads to reduce harmonic stresses.