Configuration of smart phase-swapping switches in low-voltage distribution systems based on sequenced participation indices

Abstract

The smart phase-swapping switches are used to rapidly change the phases of single-phase loads online in low-voltage distribution systems. They can reduce the three-phase imbalance indices. However, the effectiveness of phase-swapping operations is determined by not only the control strategy but also by the quantity and locations of smart phase-swapping switches. In this paper, a configuration method is proposed to determine the preferable quantity and locations of smart phase-swapping switches with considerations of economic benefits and operational requirements. Based on historical load information, the active and reactive powers of the loads are used to formulate the current imbalance index. The configuration problem is modeled as a multiobjective optimization that minimizes the current imbalance indices of all nodes and phase-swapping operations. The problem is solved by the particle swarm optimization algorithm to obtain the phase-swapping participation index of each single-phase load. The loads with high phase-swapping participation indices are preferably equipped with smart phase-swapping switches. The simulation results verify that the proposed method is effective and easy to be implemented in practical applications.