Across Canada, electricity is becoming a scarce resource as there are increasingly urgent calls to electrify fossil fuel loads. Furthermore, even if ample generation is present, the electrical grid will be unable to accommodate the increased demand. This research project will propose and investigate tangible solutions to optimize the power flow and usage within the distribution network so that existing electrical grid infrastructure will be able to deliver more energy with fewer losses, while ensuring the grid remains safe and stable.

The integration of significant capacities of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as renewable wind and solar generation for a more sustainable energy future creates several challenges to the reliable and efficient operation of power distribution systems. These include: (i) Uncertain and intermittent nature of renewable generation compromises power quality for end-customers. (ii) Up-to-date distribution-system network topologies are not well known and their real-time monitoring is limited. As a result, effective management of DERs is challenging.

Enbala Power Networks Inc., a Canadian leader in distributed energy resource management, and the University of British Columbia, Okanagan have teamed up to develop real-time voltage control and loss minimization method for power distribution grids integrating large-scale renewable energy sources. The proposed method uses micro-Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) and distributed reactive power control to achieve real-time voltage control and transmission loss minimization.