Application of loop power flow controllers for power demand optimization at industrial customer sites

The application of power electronic converters in the form of loop power flow controllers to distribution radial feeders in order to improve the efficiency of the grid and provide an adequate voltage support is currently an issue of major interest. This paper proposes an Energy Management System to deliver optimum commands to these devices, suited to be implemented in private networks owned by industrial customers. The algorithm benefits from the radial structure of the grid and the excellent properties of heuristic optimization techniques to ensure a low latency outer controller for real-time applications. A case study, including an industrial distribution system with induction motors and lighting loads is presented to demonstrate the good performance of the proposed solution.