Time-Series Temperature-Dependent Power Flow Considering Unbalanced
Thermoelectric Equivalent Circuits for Underground LV and MV Cables
Abstract
This manuscript proposes a time-series temperature-dependent power flow
method for unbalanced distribution networks consisting of underground
cables. A thermal circuit model for unbalanced three-phase multi-core
cables is developed to estimate the conductor temperature and resistance
of Medium and Low Voltage distribution networks. More specifically, a
novel approach is proposed to model and estimate the parameters of the
three-phase thermal circuit of 3/4-core cables, using the results of
Finite Element Method and Particle Swarm Optimization. The proposed
approach is generic and can be accurately applied to any kind of 3- or
4-core cables buried in homogeneous or non-homogeneous soil.
Furthermore, it is applicable in cases where one or more adjacent cables
exist. Using the proposed approach, the conductor temperature of each
phase can be individually and precisely calculated even in networks with
highly unbalanced loads. The proposed approach is expected to be an
important tool for simulating the steady state of unbalanced
distribution networks and estimating the conductor temperatures. The
proposed thermal circuit is validated using two 4-core LV and one 3-core
MV cables buried in different depths in homogeneous or non-homogeneous
soil. Time-series power flow for a whole year is performed in a 25-bus
unbalanced LV network consisting of multicore underground cables.