Integrated volt/VAR control on rural distribution systems

Abstract

The integration of smart grid technologies along with improved feeder monitoring capabilities have led to a renewed focus on voltage and reactive power control on power distribution systems. Economic and operational benefits result from effectively managing the voltage profile and feeder power factor. While monitoring, control, and communications technologies are rapidly evolving, the basic tools and equipment - voltage regulators, shunt capacitors, and engineering changes such as load balancing and reconductoring - are basically the same. The task for the distribution engineer is to select the best mix of solutions based on economic life cycle benefits. For long, voltage constrained rural circuits this is challenging, but recent analyses have proven the viability of maintaining a flat voltage profile on most circuit configurations. This paper addresses the essential tools and techniques associated with managing the distribution voltage profile and reactive power flow to achieve economic and operational benefits. Economic analysis methods used to evaluate the optimum mix of equipment and engineering changes will be reviewed, along with the special challenges of implementing volt/VAR control on rural distribution feeders.