A Structure-Based Voltage Stability Index in Distribution System Through Dimensional Reduction

Abstract

Voltage collapse is a critical form of system instability in power systems, occurring when power generation is unable to meet power demand, resulting in considerable socio-economic impacts. Current methodologies for studying voltage collapse primarily utilize simulation-based approaches. While informative, they offer little theoretical insights into the mechanism of this perplexing phenomenon due to their numerical nature. This article introduces a novel analytical framework in distribution system based on dimension reduction. By effectively mapping high-dimensional systems into simpler, lower dimensional equivalents, our framework is capable of mathematically solving system equations. This subsequently differentiates the critical factors from the less influential ones and proposes a novel voltage stability index. The voltage stability index is directly calculated by the structure-based weighted sum of power demands without monitoring data. This approach facilitates the identification of potential origins of system instability and highlights components that are particularly vulnerable, thereby enabling more targeted and effective measures for system reinforcement and risk mitigation. We rigorously test our framework on seven different distribution systems, demonstrating its efficacy and potential as a tool for enhancing grid stability. Our findings indicate that this novel approach can offer significant advantages in understanding and mitigating the risks of voltage collapse.