Efficient power flow approximation methodology for topology optimization algorithms in transmission system operation

The optimization of network topology in complex transmission systems requires the evaluation of a large number of potential network topologies. In order to enable an efficient evaluation, a power flow approximation methodology is required. Within this paper, available power flow approximation methods are analysed and a refined method with enhanced system state linearisation is developed. The application of the developed method to all relevant basic topological modifications is presented. The method is applied to a model of the European transmission grid. The results show that the method is capable of efficiently evaluating large amounts of topological modifications in detailed transmission grid models with very high accuracy.