Load flow method for radial and weakly-meshed networks: Concept of duality

Load flow method suitable for both radial and weakly-meshed network structures common to distribution systems is proposed in this paper. Here the concept duality of network has been exploited to obtain the solution. Unique data feeding technique and creation of single matrix [branch-voltage drop to node-current] based on dual nature of the electrical network are used in the procedural technique. A single informative forward path impedance [FPI] matrix is developed in the proposed method and it is found to be adequate for the analysis. The method first arranges constant input data and then proceeds further by collecting the information about forward path-impedances in matrix form. Then identify the dual of forward path-impedance matrix, which gives backward nodal-current injection information about the network. The solution is derived using forward path impedance and branch currents. This methodology is programmed for an IEEE 15-Node network using MATLAB Ver. 7.0. and it is demostrated that computational efficiency has been improved by the algorithm suggested. This paper also includes equations for two real-world issues like, when lines are modeled as Pi section and for network having tap changing transformer. The proposed method is flexible to extend for 3-phase networks also.