Voltage stability analysis of power distribution networks using multi-agent approach

In this paper, a communication assisted multi-agent
system (MAS) is proposed for improving the voltage profile of
distribution systems through proper estimation and control of
reactive power. Since renewable energy sources (RESs) connected
to distribution networks are highly unpredictable in nature,
it is more important to maintain the voltage profile within
the permissible limits during this atmospheric changes. The
agents in the designed MAS improve the voltage stability which
is mostly dominated by reactive power and coordinate their
tasks through online information and power flow. The agents
effectively estimates the adequate amount of reactive power
from the topology of distribution network and maintain voltage
stability where distributed static synchronous compensators
(DSTATCOMs) are used to supply this reactive power. The
main control approach is based on designing a linear quadratic
regulator (LQR) with an integrator within the agent framework
to control the DSTATCOM. The proposed scheme is validated
by comparing it with the conventional PI controller and the
simulation results show that the proposed scheme performs in a
much better and smarter way even with communication delay.