Modeling and Validation of an Unbalanced LV Network

Using Smart Meter and SCADA Inputs

Derek C. Jayasuriya, Julian de Hoog, Doreen Thomas, Iven Mareels
Max Rankin, Terry Jones Electrical and Electronic Engineering &
SP AusNet Mechanical Engineering
Melbourne, Australia University of Melbourne

AbstractAs new technologies such as Photovoltaics physical constraints and real-time system state have
(PVs), Embedded Generators (EGs) and Electric Vehicles become crucial to designing a stable, efficient network
(EVs) penetrate Low Voltage (LV) distribution networks, facilitating smart grid development.
the need to understand the constraints and real time system
state of LV networks becomes essential for smart grid de- The two key components required to better understand
velopment. This paper demonstrates that, given household LV networks are accurate network models and smart
Smart Meter demand data combined with 66kV/22kV zone meter consumption data to provide real inputs into the
substation SCADA voltage data, it is possible to model LV model. This work aims to do this by modeling a three-
networks on a per-phase basis to a high degree of accuracy phase, four-wire unbalanced model [4] of an urban net-
in near real time. Our model is based on a real suburb in
urban northern Melbourne consisting of 113 customers, work in northern Melbourne consisting of 113 customers
and is populated with real conductor properties, route (Fig. 1). By linking each customers National Meter-
lengths and customer phase allocations to create a true ing Identifier (NMI) to the smart meter consumption
unbalanced three-phase, four-wire model. Time stepped database, real load data per customer is integrated into
load flow simulations of the model are compared with data the LV model. Combining an accurate LV model with
loggers installed on the LV network for validation, and on
average simulated results differ from real measurements real world and near real-time smart meter and SCADA
by less than 0.5% for phase voltages and less than 10% data, a solid foundation for EV and EG optimisation and
for phase currents. Such accuracy allows for evaluation of planning applications can be developed to better plan and
PV, EV and EG impact mitigation strategies and planning manage LV networks.
in reference to the Electricity Distribution Code with a
strong degree of confidence. This LV model is unique as it II. LV M ODEL C ONFIGURATION
has been validated and is the only bottom-up load model
that utilizes near real time Smart Meter and SCADA inputs A. LV Model Layout
to analyse impacts on distribution assets on a per phase, The LV model was created using the load flow pack-
unbalanced basis.
age DigSilent PowerFactory.1 Conductor properties were
I. I NTRODUCTION entered into the model using conductor specification data
sheets for the conductors used in the LV Network. In a
Electricity distribution companies own and operate similar manner, the distribution transformer was modeled
the infrastructure required to connect customers to the according to the specification datasheet. Conductor route
network. Distribution networks utilise different voltage lengths for the LV backbone (conductors between dis-
levels: High Voltage (HV 66kV), Medium Voltage (MV tribution poles) and the service cables to each customer
11kV to 22kV) and Low Voltage (LV 400V or 230V). were determined via physical onsite inspection and using
The majority of residential and small business customers GIS software cross-referenced with satellite photos of
are connected to the LV network with single phase the LV Network. The model also imports the 22kV
or three phase connections. Traditionally distribution conductor and zone substation data from available HV
companies had no requirement to model the LV network models. The infinite bus is defined at the 66kV bus into
in great detail and only considered the overall aggregate the zone substation.
load of each LV distribution transformer. Until recently, Each house (indicated by triangles in Fig. 2) is con-
this level of granularity was sufficient for distribution nected to a distribution pole via service cables. The
network planning and analysis. However as disruptive colour of each service cable indicates the phase that
technologies such as PVs, EGs and EVs are connected
to LV networks [1][2][3], the need to understand the 1 DIgSILENT PowerFactory http://www.digsilent.com.au/
 This allows the model to access actual and near real
time demand data at a granular level. Each smart meter
provides voltage, current and consumption data at 30-
minute intervals. The zone substation component of the
model is fed with a SCADA voltage data stream from
the 66kV/22kV transformers (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3. Voltage as measured via SCADA from the 22kV conductors

originating from the Zone Substation.

C. LV Data Loggers
Two GridSense PowerMonic PM45 loggers (Fig. 4)
were installed at two locations on the LV network as
shown by red circles in Fig. 1. The loggers measure key
Fig. 1. Model Topology (113 customers) - Red circles indicate
locations of LV Data Loggers used as reference for validation. parameters such as Voltage and Current at one-minute
intervals for all three phases and neutral. This data serves
as a reference point for the real state of the LV backbone.
the customer is connected to. Phase allocation for each
customer in the model reflects the actual connection to
the LV network in order to establish a true unbalanced
model.

Fig. 4. Data loggers Records Voltage and Current parameters on the

LV backbone

III. VALIDATION
The LV model is said to be valid if the model outputs
match the current and voltage measurements of each
phase recorded via the loggers for each 30-minute time
Fig. 2. Phase allocation Red refers to Red Phase, Blue refers to Blue
Phase and Green refers to White Phase
interval over a period of one day. This is achieved by
importing the demand data from all 113 homes in the
LV network into the model at time 00:00:00. Load flow
B. Smart Meter / SCADA Data Integration analysis is conducted to determine the LV system state.
Each house in the LV model is integrated with a The voltage and current model outputs are recorded at
data stream from the individual customers smart meter. the two positions where the loggers are installed (Logger

2
Fig. 5. Voltage Validation at Distribution Transformer - Blue line
represents the voltage measured at the distribution transformer via the
LV Data Loggers. The red line is the LV model estimation of the
voltage at the same point.

Fig. 6. Current Validation at Distribution Transformer - Blue line

1 and Logger 2 in Fig. 1). This process is repeated represents the voltage measured at the distribution transformer via the
for each 30-minute interval (for a total of 48 load flow LV Data Loggers. The red line is the LV model estimation of the
voltage at the same point.
calculations). The model outputs at the two positions are
then compared with the data loggers at the same interval.
Logger 1 in Fig. 1 is installed at the origin of the LV
network, i.e. the distribution transformer. This location current on each phase with an average error of 10%.
was selected as it will inform the starting voltage for the The neutral has an expected higher error as this is a
LV network before voltage drop occurs along the length combination of the phase errors.
of the LV network. By obtaining voltage at this point, the Logger 2 in Fig. 1 is installed at the approximate
actual voltage of the HV side of the transformer can also half way point on the LV network. The primary reason
be determined by using the tap setting of the transformer. for installation at this point is to observe the effects of
This will contribute to analysis by providing validation voltage and current unbalance and to analyse the effect
reference points for the HV network. In addition, Logger of voltage drop along the LV network. For example,
1 will also log the total current drawn by all the house- the voltage data points here should indicate an overall
hold loads attached to the transformer, a key performance voltage drop from the voltages recorded by Logger 1
metric for the LV model. due to conductor impedance (assuming low to no PV
Fig. 5 shows the voltage parameter at the distribution generation).
transformer. The blue line represents the measured volt- Fig. 7 shows the voltage parameter at the midway
age from Data Logger 1 for July 10th 2012. The Red point of the LV network at LV Logger 2 (network
line is the LV model estimation of the voltage for the midpoint). The error at this point is under 1% for all
same time period as the data logger measurement. It can cases. The green dotted line represents the voltage at
be seen that the model estimation compared to the actual the distribution transformer (Logger 1) for comparison
state has an error of approximately 0.5%. purposes. It can be seen that the voltage for the red and
Fig. 6 shows the corresponding current measurement white phases drop significantly down the LV network.
for current at the distribution transformer. The blue The blue phase is not as heavily loaded hence the voltage
line represents the data measured from the data logger drop is not as pronounced.
and the red line is the model estimation. The current Fig. 8 shows the current parameter at the midway
in the network can vary rapidly at localised locations point of the LV network at Logger 2. The percentage
throughout the network depending on the current draw error for the white and blue phase is low. The error
from each household. Despite this, load flow calculations for the red phase is high (41.32%) however in absolute
using smart meter data at each home derived accurate terms, the error is on average 1.53 Amps, an insignificant
results. On average, the model was able to estimate the amount. This is due to a small number of houses

3
Fig. 7. Voltage Validation at LV Network Midpoint - Blue line
represents the voltage measured at the distribution transformer via the
LV Data Loggers. The red line is the LV model estimation of the
voltage at the same point. Green dotted line represents the voltage at
the transformer for comparison purposes

Fig. 8. Current Validation at LV Network Midpoint - Blue line

represents the current measured at the LV Network midpoint via the LV
connected downstream from Logger 2 on the red phase. Data Loggers. The red line is the LV model estimation of the voltage
Again the neutral conductor has an expected high error at the same point.
due to the fact that it is a combination of all errors in
the phases.
The main source of error between model outputs and percentage over positive sequence is an indicator of
data obtained by the data loggers is believed to be due phase balance. The transformer is located at 0km and
to 11 smart meters not yet configured to send data. The the last house in the network is approximately 0.5km
LV model compensates for this by assigning the average away (x-axis). Traversing down the network increases
demand of all the houses with smart meter demand data negative sequence voltage for each house due to uneven
in the LV network to houses with missing smart meter allocation of loads between phases. The distribution code
data. This will be amended in future publications once allows for negative sequence voltage up to 1% (light blue
the missing data is available. line) on average and a maximum of 2% (can go over 2%
for a maximum period of 5mins within each 30min time
IV. R ESULTS period).
Validated LV model outputs are used to determine Fig. 11 shows the transformer utilisation represented
if key parameters including voltage range limits, neg- as a percentage over time. Ideally, this should be below
ative sequence limits (phase voltage unbalance limits) 100% (light blue line) or on average and below 150%
conductor current limits and transformer capacity limits (purple line) at all times for safe operation.
are within Australian Standards [5] and the Electricity Fig. 12 shows the Current on a particular phase
Distribution Code [6] (Fig. 9-12). conductor. This parameter must be below 230A (purple
Fig.9 shows the voltage profile of the LV network. line) to avoid conductor sag and ground clearance issues
Three colours represent the phase voltages (red = red for the type of conductor used in the modelled LV
phase, green = white phase, blue = blue phase). Light network. Furthermore this parameter should be above
blue lines represent the voltage limits. The transformer 0A to avoid reverse power flow (light blue line).
is located at 0km and the last house is located ap- The voltage and negative sequence profile in Fig. 9
proximately 0.5km away from the transformer (x-axis). and Fig. 10 show the worst case time instant at 6:00pm
As houses draw more power, voltage begins to drop while the phase current in Fig. 12 shows the white phase
along the LV network. Nominal voltage is 1pu volt current which recorded the worst case highest current
(230V). Distribution code allows voltage between 1.1pu amongst the three active phases. It can be seen that
and 0.94pu volts. all parameters in the modelled LV network, even under
Fig. 10 shows the negative sequence Voltage Profile worst case instances are within Australian Standards and
of the LV network. Negative sequence expressed as a the Electricity Distribution Code on July 10th 2012 as

4
 Fig. 11. Transformer utilisation with limits

Fig. 9. Voltage profile of the LV network with limits.

Fig. 12. Phase current with limits

and the Electricity Distribution code. The near real time

input from smart meters and zone substation SCADA
enhances this unbalanced per-phase LV model beyond
assumption-based models often found in the literature.
Using this as a baseline, the LV model can be used as
an accurate, near real time platform to perform EV and
EG optimization and planning strategies going forward.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was supported by SP AusNet and The
University of Melbourne. Special thanks to Luke Robin-
son from DigSilent Pacific for initial construction of LV
Fig. 10. Negative sequence voltage profile of the LV network with
limits. components and support for the DigSilent PowerFactory
software suite, Geoff Thorn for general guidance and
Kenneth Chew for database assistance.
estimated by the LV model.
B IBLIOGRAPHY
Although the modelled LV network performs to code
under present conditions, the foreseen problem is the [1] W. H. Kersting, A three-phase unbalanced line model with
grounded neutrals through a resistance, in Power and Energy
introduction of disruptive technologies such as solar PV Society General Meeting - Conversion and Delivery of Electrical
and electric vehicles. High penetration of such technolo- Energy in the 21st Century, 2008 IEEE, 2008, pp. 12, iD: 1.
gies in LV networks are expected to exceed limits set out [2] K. Poyan, Investigation of western powers low voltage operation
limits with the integration of photovoltaic systems, no. Murdoch
by Australian Standards and the Electricity Distribution University, 2010.
Code. The next step in the LV model development is [3] P. Richardson, J. Taylor, D. Flynn, and A. C. Keane, Stochastic
to simulate and estimate the impact of disruptive tech- analysis of the impact of electric vehicles on distribution net-
works, 2011.
nologies over various penetration and phase unbalance [4] F. Shahnia, A. Ghosh, G. Ledwich, and F. Zare, Voltage unbal-
scenarios. ance reduction in low voltage distribution networks with rooftop
pvs, in Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC),
V. C ONCLUSION 2010 20th Australasian, 2010, pp. 15, iD: 1.
[5] Australian Standard AS 2374.7-1997. Transformer Capacity Lim-
The simulation model presented in this paper demon- its.
strates strong correlation with the real network, with [6] Electricity Distribution Code, Victoria, Australia. Version 6
(January 2011)., Online: http://www.esc.vic.gov.au/Energy/
simulated outputs closely matching data logger reference Distribution/Electricity-Distribution-code.
measurements for current and voltage at different loca-
tions in the network, throughout the day. This shows that
this LV model is sufficiently accurate to estimate the real
state of LV networks in reference to Australian Standards