Modified Distflow: Novel Power Flow Model for Distribution Grid

Abstract

As the adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs) increases, it introduces several challenges to the distribution grid (DG), including reverse power flow, voltage instability, and grid congestion. These challenges necessitate active distribution grid management, which requires the development of accurate power flow models. This paper proposes a novel, explicit, non-recursive power flow model that incorporates line losses, called the modified Distflow model. The proposed model can be easily integrated into optimization, state estimation, and parameter identification problems. Its performance is evaluated against the widely used Distflow and linearized Distflow (LinDistflow) models on a single-phase IEEE 37-node test feeder, utilizing real-world consumer load data. The results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves comparable accuracy to the Distflow model while being six times faster. Additionally, it offers improved accuracy over the LinDistflow model.