In this paper, a Microgrid (MG) test model based on the 14-busbar IEEE distribution system is proposed. This model can constitute an important research tool for the analysis of electrical grids in its transition to Smart Grids (SG). The benchmark is used as a base case for power flow analysis and quality variables related with SG and holds distributed resources. The proposed MG consists of DC and AC buses with different types of loads and distributed generation at two voltage levels. A complete model of this MG has been simulated using the MATLAB/Simulink environmental simulation platform. The proposed electrical system will provide a base case for other studies such as: reactive power compensation, stability and inertia analysis, reliability, demand response studies, hierarchical control, fault tolerant control, optimization and energy storage strategies.

In this paper an exhaustive bibliographical revision of the mathematical methods used for the optimal selection and location of reactive power compensating elements is developed, the results obtained by different authors for different objective functions are analyzed and a scientific problem in the conflict that the electric variables show when analyzed individually is identified; thus demonstrating the need to analyze this problem in a multi-criteria way and taking into account topologies of distribution grids with distributed generation and energy storage. This research demonstrates that reactive power compensation in distribution grids with distributed resources is a problem that must be analyzed from multiple criteria that consider several objective functions to be optimized; thus achieving a global solution that contemplates an optimal location and dimensioning of reactive power compensating elements that contribute to the joint improvement of the voltage profiles, minimization of power losses, harmonic mitigation, increased line capacity, voltage stability and power factor improvement, all of them to a minimum investment cost. A theoretical heuristic is also proposed to solve the described problem, based on the multicriteria optimization method.

Electric Vehicles (EV) have the potential to completely transform the transportation industry, reduce carbon emissions significantly, and pave the road for significant climate progress. According to surveys, worries regarding range and charging accessibility are a significant barrier to EV customer adoption. The electricity grid will be significantly impacted by EV charging. A coordinated charging approach that facilitates EV charging while avoiding the power grid from overloading is required to manage EV charging. In this work, the EVs are classified based on their charging capacity. This classification includes car, truck, and bus. With this a charging discharging scheme has been established using Real Time Pricing for each hour for a 20‐min block. The Voltage Stability Index (VSI) for the system is calculated for the system and the strongest bus is identified for locating the EVs to charge/discharge. Augmenting this, in the present work, the power loss is analyzed when Distributed Generation (DG) units are installed after the EVs are located in the system for charging and discharging. The DG units are installed in each feeder, considering the VSI and Penetration Level (PL) and the power losses incurred due to the presence of EVs. The Monetary benefit of such an investment is analyzed for different topologies of IEEE‐33 and 69 bus systems and compared with the existing methods where DGs are installed before the EVs are located in the system for charging and discharging.

This work presents a methodology for optimal compensation of reactive power in Electric Microgrids using a multicriteria decision algorithm based on heuristic methods. It was verified the optimal location and dimensioning of fixed capacitor banks in a microgrid with 14 buses with objective functions based on cost, efficiency and quality criteria in a maximum demand operating condition and also considering the constraints of objective variables in minimum demand scenarios. The proposed capacitance to be installed was considered as a discrete variable. The location of discretized reactive capacitances was simulated at candidate nodes analyzing the power flow in the case study, resulting in a wide solution space that was tackled by means of multicriteria optimization, using dominance elimination techniques and the weighted sum method for decision making. The variables analyzed were: cost, maximum and average deviations of the voltage profile, power factor, total losses in the lines of the system and THD. All these variables were also verified in minimum demand scenarios. The proposed solution provides significant improvements in the variables analyzed and verifies the optimal performance of the technique. The mathematical analysis demonstrates the need of addressing the reactive compensation problem by means of multicriteria decision and the proposal provides a very novel tool for calculating the location and dimensioning of reactive compensation devices in distribution systems and microgrids. The programming was done in the Matlab environment with simulations using Simulink. The case study analyzed is a very novel validated Microgrid system of which it is known the variables that take part of this analysis, as an approximation of the study of a very real Microgrid.

This work presents a novel methodology for the optimal location of reclosers in electric distribution systems. The proposal uses a multicriteria analysis to evaluate the reliability indicators for this level 3 (distribution) by generating scenarios from pseudo-random variables. The reliability indicators considered in the study are the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI), System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI), Customer Average Interruption Duration Index (CAIDI), and Average Energy Not Supplied (AENS). It is employed a deterministic random generation in a defined range associated with each analysis variable (failure rate by elements and loads, failure duration, number of customers per load point, mean power consumed at each load point, etc.) The reliability indicators (criteria) are calculated for every possible location of a recloser in the candidate primary sections, thus obtaining the decision matrix, normalized and weighted by the CRITIC method to find the optimal location according to a minimum criterion. This analysis is repeated N times through the generation of scenarios using the Montecarlo method, establishing the probability of occurrence of each winning alternative and choosing the final optimal location of the first recloser within the distribution system. The methodology also proposes the switching coordination repeating the previously described analysis for locating a second recloser considering that the first was already a winning alternative within the generation of “many” scenarios. The scope of the proposed methodology is the number of reclosers that it is desired to analyze considering cost constraints and is general for any distribution system. The analysis is carried out with comprehensive programming in the Matlab software environment. The results successfully respond to the maneuver and switching tests with the joint criterion of minimizing all reliability indicators for level 3 (distribution). With this proposal, knowledge gaps in reliability studies are solved. The absence of data is completed with generations of pseudo-random variables, and the optimal location of the reclosers responds to all reliability criteria in distribution with weighting alternatives. The novel proposed methodology is validated with an exhaustive search analysis where all possible single or multiple reconnection scenarios are analyzed. The winning location alternative found coincides with the one determined by the proposed methodology in more than 90% of the generated random scenarios.

This article proposes an analysis of energy losses in distribution circuits with asymmetric topologies, starting from mathematical comparisons of the parameters of electrical losses among the three constructive approaches for distribution networks (monophasic, biphasic and three-phase). Approximations, that allow us to know asymmetric loss factors, will be established in order to develop appropriate criteria of designs in distribution networks that feed transformers purely monophasic, depending on the charge states, caliber of drivers and distances of the lines; thus minimizing the losses of energy due to unbalanced construction concept. These obtained factors provide a tool for the optimum design of more efficient networks, either to correct inefficient systems with high levels of losses, which are already in operation, or for new electrical investments projects pointing to the development of future smart grids with high energy efficiency.