Optimal power flow in multi-terminal HVDC networks for DC-System operator: constant current operation

© 2015 IEEE. DC System Operator (DCSO) is a radical concept. This single entity is designed to coordinate, to control and monitor the operation of the DC transmission system. DCSO is accountable for safeguarding the reliability and security of the DC meshed grid in real-time and co-ordinate the supply of and demand for electricity, in a manner that avoids violations of technical and economic standards. This paper proposes a very simple methodology for optimal power flow (OPF) for DC grids which allows constant current operation in a series branch in order to handle one the possible DCSO objectives. The main contribution of this paper is a simple methodology that permits including new DC operator objectives as in the OPF problem as a type linear equality constraints, it is based on nodal analysis. This paper explores one operator objectives: constant current operation. Proposed methodology has been thoroughly illustrated and tested using a 3-node, 5-node and 7-node DC grids, and results show the validity of the proposed approach.