I am not clear about your specific question. Can you make it more clear so that I can help you with the problems.

For the analysis of power distribution steady , I sugguest you to learn the state estimation method and power flow calculation.

For the power flow calculation, you can learn the Matpower tool, which is a powerful tool for power flow . It is based on Matlab.

Thank you for the response...

For the software methods, I mean the distribution systems analysis methods using the software optimization techniques such as a Power Flow in Matlab and etc..

For the hardware methods, I mean all the operations without any software support !.. such as installation a DSTATCOM that is a type of a FACT devices in order to reactive power compensation in distribution network, or Installation of new advanced protection devices, or development the distribution lines, troubleshooting and maintenance regularly, and etc..

For the combination methods, I mean Hybrid the software and hardware together. For example, Installation a hardware such as a DSTATCOM but wherever the software analysis suggested!

As I mentioned before, for the distribution analysis, especially the power flow calculation, the Matpower tool is the best way for you to learn and apply in your own area.

For the hardware methods, I would like to suggest you learn the Simulink, which is also based on the Matlab, where you can find various components in the power systems, such as STATCOM, WIND GNERATORS and so on. Also, it is easy to insert your Matlab code to the simulink.

For the combination methods, I am sorry I did not have such experience. Maybe you can ask some other peopel who has rich experience.

I hope these answers will help you.

Thanks

I suggest you to choose any IEEE bus system ( like IEEE 14 bus, IEEE 30 bus ..) to study the performance of the FACTS devises on standard power network. You have first to choose which problem you are going to study ex ( power flow control, damping oscillation, voltage stability ...).

I also suggest you to use PSCAD software since PSCAD provides dynamic analysis of the network compared to MATLAB which normally provides static analysis.

For Hardware, you can use SIMULINK library as Mr. ZHAO suggested you. You have also to choose which controller device you want to use like ( dSPACE, DSP, ..). The main purpose of the controller device is to make interface between software (SIMULINK) and hardware (prototype).

Hopefully this would help you in your study.

Regards

Thank you very much.

Dear Hajar,

The optimisation of a distribution network can be based on both, software and hardware. The first important thing, for optimising the network is know exactly how it is working, because most of the times the information that the network operator has about the network is not sufficient. For this purpose, the use of enough sensors is important, also a tool for processing the obtained information is crucial. The network models are very useful, for instance the power flow is a very important tool.

Knowing exactly what is happening in the network and what problems has is the first step to fix them using some kind of devices like statcoms, DVRs or others.

My field of study is related to the power flow analysis of distribution networks, I attach you here a link where you can read my last paper about this, in the stat of art you will find (in my opinion), the best references of this topic:

www.researchgate.net/publication/259411037_Unbalanced_Power_Flow_in_Distribution_Systems_With_Embedded_Transformers_Using_the_Complex_Theory_in_alpha_beta_0_Stationary_Reference_Frame

Article Unbalanced Power Flow in Distribution Systems With Embedded ...

Dear Hajar,

There is a free-software suitable for distribution system analysis: OpenDSS. If you are interested, you can get a copy at: http://sourceforge.net/projects/electricdss/

A methodology for solving optmization problems by using OpenDSS has been proposed in a IEEE paper intitled: "Unbalanced Three-Phase Optimal Power Flow for Smart Grids" (author: Sergio Bruno, Transaction on Industrial Electronics Vol 58, nº10, october 2011).

Maybe it can be useful for you.

I didn't know this software. It seems to be interesting.

Thanks Wesley.

Dear Dr. Arboleya

Thanks for your reply and strong paper.

I read your article and congratulate you for this perfect research..

I am also currently investigating the ways of optimizing distribution network using the combined software techniques..

Dear Wesley Peres,

Thank you for the software introduced.

I think it is a useful and interesting tool for optimization purposes.

Hi. I am using IEEE 14 bus network with MATPOWER. I want to take this network as a distribution system with one substation (33KV) and consider the rest of the buses as 11KV feeders. The bus 1 is the first 11 KV feeder and so on. My questions are:

1. How should i change the data in MatPower to reflect these changes and obtain the power flow results?

2. Can i use the same data as given in MATPOWER case14.m? or change it.

I am not sure of these two things... please help me

How to use MatPower for power flow analysis of distribution network? - ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_to_use_MatPower_for_power_flow_analysis_of_distribution_network [accessed Apr 28, 2016].