Planning and Service Restoration Through Microgrid Formation and Soft Open Points for Distribution Network Modernization: A Review
Xiaodong Liang, Md Abu Saaklayen, Mosayeb Afshari Igder, Shah Mohammad Rezwanul Haque Shawon, S.O. Faried, Mehrnoosh Janbakhsh
Abstract
Due to the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources, microgrids with the self-adequacy feature becomes a promising platform in distribution systems to interconnect geographically closed distributed generation units and load. Micogrids enable faster service restoration during disturbances and natural disasters, and offer improved system reliability. In this article, an extensive literature review is conducted by focusing on several important aspects of the distribution network modernization: planning and service restoration using microgrid formation and soft open points (SOPs) to achieve the improved system performance. The SOP is an emerging power electronic device in distribution systems by connecting feeders or networked microgrids to realize voltage regulation and service restoration. The future research directions in these important areas are recommended in the article.