Time Series Optimization-Based Characteristic Curve Calculation for Local Reactive Power Control Using Pandapower-PowerModels Interface

Local reactive power control in distribution grids with a high penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) will be essential in future power system operation. Appropriate control characteristic curves for DERs support stable and efficient distribution grid operation. However, the current practice is to configure local controllers collectively with constant characteristic curves that may not be efficient for volatile grid conditions or the desired targets of grid operators. To address this issue, this paper proposes a time series optimization-based method to calculate control parameters, which enables each DER to be independently controlled by an exclusive characteristic curve for optimizing its reactive power provision. To realize time series reactive power optimizations, the open-source tools pandapower and PowerModels are interconnected functionally. Based on the optimization results, Q(V)- and Q(P)-characteristic curves can be individually calculated using linear decision tree regression to support voltage stability, provide reactive power flexibility and potentially reduce grid losses and component loadings. In this paper, the newly calculated characteristic curves are applied in two representative case studies, and the results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the reference methods suggested by grid codes.