A Parallel Approach for Real-Time Power Flow in Distribution Networks

Abstract

The new reality of smart distribution systems with use of generation sources of small and medium sizes brings new challenges for the operation of these systems. The complexity and the large number of nodes requires use of methods which can reduce the processing time of algorithms such as power flow, allowing its use in real time. This paper presents a known methodology for calculating the power flow in three phases using backward/forward sweep method, and also considering others network elements such as voltage regulators, shunt capacitors and sources of dispersed generation PV and PQ. After that, new elements are introduced that allow the parallelization of this algorithm and an adequate distribution of work between the available processors. The algorithm was implemented using a multi-tiered architecture which allows its use even in environments with low processing power, such as smartphones and tablets, and the processing times were measured in many network configurations and compared with the same algorithm in the serial version.