Optimal power flow based on successive linear approximation of power flow equations

In this study, the authors introduce a new solution to the alternating current optimal power flow problem based on successive linear approximation of power flow equations. The polar coordination of the power flow equations is used to take advantage of the quasi-linear P– θ relationship. A mathematical transformation for the crossing term of voltage magnitude is used, which guarantees the accuracy of the linear approximation when the quality of initial points regarding voltage magnitude is relatively low in the first few iterations. As a result, the accuracy of the proposed approximation becomes very high in very few iterations. Linearisation method for the quadratic apparent branch flow limits is provided. Methods to recover the AC feasibility from the obtained optimal power flow solution and correct possible constraint violations are introduced. The proposed method is tested in several IEEE and Polish benchmark systems. The difference in objective functions relative to MATPOWER benchmark results is generally <0.1% when the algorithm terminates.