A new power flow for multi-phase distribution networks with simultaneous phase interruptions

The paper proposes a new power flow model and calculation procedure for large-scale multi-phase (unbalanced) distribution networks with simultaneous phase interruptions. Differently from traditional linear models for calculations of networks with simultaneous short-circuits and phase interruptions, phase interruptions are treated in this paper much more realistically—as outages which are incorporated in a nonlinear phase-domain distribution power flow model. Using the compensation method, this model is decoupled per phases. The calculation of the energized part of the network is carried out using a backward–forward sweep (BFS)-based procedure. The calculation of the state of the deenergized part of the network, which appeared due to phase interruptions, is based on the linear loop current method. Thus, the efficiency of BFS is retained in the proposed procedure. The robustness and efficiency of the proposed procedure are demonstrated by calculating both a small test network and a real-life large-scale network.