Multi-objective security constrained optimal reactive dispatch applied to the GB transmission network

This paper presents a practical approach for solving the operational large-scale security constrained optimal reactive power flow problem on Great Britain´s electricity transmission network to reduce transmission losses and reactive utilisation. The losses minimisation problem is augmented by reactive power flow constraints applied to generator transformers in order to limit the pre-fault reactive utilisation. The optimisation is evaluated on large-scale network planning studies and considers around 800 credible single and double circuit contingency cases, so that the solution is compliant with the relevant Security and Quality of Supply Standards. A prototype reactive optimisation tool has been developed and deployed in the Electricity National Control Centre to give engineers access to the optimisation routines. Feedback from control engineers will be described to highlight both the advantages of this prototype tool and its limitations for practical use.