Optimal Scheduling of Active Distribution Network in the Presence of Soft Open Points and Microgrids Considering Energy Transactions and Reactive Power Exchanges

In this paper, an optimal scheduling method for an Active Distribution Network (ADN) in the presence of Soft Open Points (SOPs) is presented. In the proposed method, all types of energy transactions, as well as the reactive power exchange between the ADN and the Upstream Network (UN) and the microgrids, are modeled. Scheduling is formulated in a 24-hour time horizon in which all costs and revenues of the ADN in energy transactions, such as the cost of purchasing power from the UN and the revenue from selling power to it along with the power loss cost, and the DG's fuel cost are modeled. In this method, the exact equations of AC load flow, operational constraints of SOPs and DGs, and energy transaction constraints such as power factor limitation, are modeled in a mixed-integer second-order conic programming model. Therefore, it is expected that the obtained results are the optimal global response that meets the scheduling constraints. To evaluate this claim, the operational scheduling of the modified 33-bus IEEE distribution system connected to two microgrids in different scenarios in the presence of high penetration of renewable sources has been investigated. The simulation results show the efficiency of the proposed framework.