Double-layer stochastic model predictive voltage control in active distribution networks with high penetration of renewables

Abstract The high penetration of renewable energy into distribution networks poses increasing challenges on voltage control. To address this issue, this paper presents a double-layer stochastic model predictive control algorithm to regulate voltage profile in active distribution networks. In the proposed algorithm, voltage regulation is achieved by coordination of an upper layer controller and a lower layer controller. In the upper layer, the number of operation of mechanical voltage regulation devices, including transformer with on-load tap changer and capacitor banks, is minimized in an hourly timescale. In the lower layer, the controller minimizes the active power curtailments and power losses with a control period of 5 min. The proposed double-layer stochastic model predictive voltage control utilizes not only the reactive power control, but also the active power curtailment to regulate bus voltages. In addition, mechanical voltage regulation devices and distributed generations are controlled in two different timescales. Case studies on a modified IEEE-33 bus system demonstrate that compared with traditional control and two-stage stochastic voltage control, the proposed algorithm can achieve an improvement of 8.05% and 7.43%, respectively.