PLANNING OF LOW VOLTAGE AC/DC MICROGRID FOR UN-ELECTRIFIED AREAS

This paper presents a new AC/DC microgrid topology as an alternative to the traditional AC network in the context of developing countries' electrification. The K-means clustering is employed to pack DC loads into a number of clusters. Next, the minimum spanning tree (MST) is applied to the clusters in order to get the minimum length of DC conductors. Hence, by using the shortest path (SP), the closest electrical poles connected to a cluster at which the AC/DC converter is placed, are found and then, balanced by the mixed-integer linear programming (MILP). Finally, the AC lines connecting all poles and clusters are designed with the MST. The optimal cost of the complete AC/DC microgrid is determined for 20 years of operation.