D-based Predictive Control for Enhancement of Distribution System Stability and Operation

The stability of bulk power electricity systems has been well studied for decades. Conversely the stability study for newly deregulated distribution power systems with dispersed generations from small conventional or alternate energy sources has been virtually limited. Stability concerns, however, increase rapidly with today´s growing demands for open access to power systems for electricity generation and trading, facilitated by new government deregulations. This paper presents a novel generator control based on step-ahead predictive methodology and state-of- the-art real-time digital signal processing (DSP) technology. This DSP-control-based (D-based) Predictive Control is built upon optimization of a specific performance index defined as a weighted combination of generator voltage deviation, mechanical and electrical torques mismatch, incremental generator speed, etc. This paper demonstrates that the D-based Predictive Control can significantly improve the stability and operational coordination of distribution systems particularly those with dispersed generations, open access operations, or weakly connections to bulk power systems.