Multi-area ATC evaluation based on Kron reduction

In a deregulated power system, the need to perform fast multi-area available transfer capability (ATC) evaluation emerges. This paper introduces a multi-area ATC evaluation method based on system decomposition and Kron reduction. The new method is a four-step procedure including system decomposition, area equivalencing, data exchange and topology checking. The implementation of the new method requires only limited information exchanges between different control areas and the central coordinator. Due to the distributed nature of the new method, the massive calculation of multi-area ATC is broken down and parallel computed in each control area in a distributed way. An enhanced DC-ATC model is adopted to boost speed with reasonable accuracy. The method is validated through both an IEEE 118-BUS test case and a real case in East China.