Feeder load balancing in MV distribution networks using soft normally-open points

Soft Normally-Open Points (SNOPs) are power electronic devices installed at normally-open points in a distribution network. Such power-electronic devices are able to control power flow to balance loads between feeders, reduce network losses and regulate voltage. The performance of SNOPs for feeder load balancing in a medium voltage distribution network was investigated. Steady state models of two different types of SNOP were developed: a back to back voltage-source converter and unified power flow controller. The benefits of using SNOPs were quantified by solving a combinational nonlinear optimization using Powell's direct set method. The IEEE 33-bus power system was used to demonstrate the effectiveness of SNOPs. Different numbers and types of SNOP devices were considered. The superiority of using SNOP was shown by comparing them with the conventional network reconfiguration.