Volt/VAR Optimization and Control of Smart-Grid Enabled Distribution System using CVR

The conservation voltage reduction (CVR) technique is being deployed globally for peak load reduction and energy conservation. In this paper CVR technique optimized with Firefly optimization algorithm is applied to a distribution system enabled with smart grid technology. In the proposed scheme Volt/VAR control operation is used for the Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS). The operation of CVR is based on a reduction in different levels of voltages which impact impedance, current, and power of a ZIP load. So, the level of CVR decides the conservation of energy. When the voltage reduction level is high, capacitor banks are injected to maintain the voltage profile within acceptable limits by injecting additional reactive power. The effect of proposed CVR is considered in IEEE 13-node test system which is an unbalanced radial distribution system. The system performance is simulated on OpenDSS software interfaced with MATLAB. The result of the simulation shows the energy saving during the peak load demand with different voltage reduction levels. It also shows voltage levels maintained with additional reactive power support by CVR in different modes operation.