Adaptive three-phase power-flow solutions for smart grids with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

Abstract This paper introduces an adaptive three-phase power flow method for smart grids with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The proposed method is developed based on the loop frame of reference. The operations of smart grids are inherently unbalanced because of the incomplete three-phase feeder arrangements, nonsymmetrical conductor spacing of three-phase underground cables and overhead lines, unbalanced loads, and a variety of distributed energy resources (DERs). Therefore, the proposed method was developed based on the actual phase (a–b–c) frame, rather than the sequence-component frame. To adapt the network topologies of smart grids, two solution strategies are used, one for radial smart grids and the other for non-radial smart grids. To demonstrate the validity and capability of the proposed algorithm, four IEEE feeder systems and an actual Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) distribution system are used as benchmarks for comparison purposes. The test results show that the proposed method is accurate, efficient, and adaptable, and it therefore has good potential for smart grid energy management system (EMS) applications.