Load Shedding Strategies in Power System Distrubition in the Presence of Renewable Energy

Abstract

Large-scale power outages, commonly referred to as blackouts, often occur due to voltage instability within distribution power systems, typically triggered by significant overload conditions. To prevent severe consequences, the activation of protective devices through a load shedding strategy is essential. This study proposes a novel approach for Under-Voltage Load Shedding (UVLS) aimed at optimizing two critical aspects of the load shedding strategy: the amount of load to be shed and the prioritization of loads, thereby ensuring power system stability both in the presence and absence of distributed generation (DG). The primary contribution of this research lies in the implementation of an adaptive load shedding mechanism based on a fuzzy logic algorithm. In the context of increasing decentralization, identifying optimal load shedding locations is crucial. This is achieved by utilizing the Voltage Stability Index (VSI) to pinpoint nodes most vulnerable to voltage collapse, while simultaneously minimizing the amount of load shed and maximizing voltage amplitudes at critical nodes, all within the operational and safety constraints of the power system.