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Fuzzy Distribution Load Flow

D. Das, S. Ghosh, D. K. Srinivas
Published online: 29 Oct 2010.

To cite this article: D. Das, S. Ghosh, D. K. Srinivas (1999) Fuzzy Distribution

Load Flow, Electric Machines & Power Systems, 27:11, 1215-1226, DOI:
10.1080/073135699268678

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/073135699268678

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 Electric Machines and Power Systems, 27:1215–1226, 1999
Copyright ° c 1999 Taylor & Francis, Inc.
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Fuzzy Distribution Load Flow

D. DAS
S. GHOSH
D. K. SRINIVAS
Electrical Engineering Department
Indian Institute of Technology
Kharagpore – 721302, India
Downloaded by [University of Kiel] at 07:58 23 October 2014

In this paper, a fuzzy model for distribution system operation is presented.

Uncertainties in loads are modeled as fuzzy numbers. A voltage stability index
for each node of radial distribution networks is also proposed. The conditions
for voltage collapse to occur are easily derived from this voltage stability index.
Among the results, one obtains possibility distributions for substation current,
voltage stability index, real and reactive power losses, etc. A general discussion
on the results, along with the advantages and disadvantages of the approach,
is presented.

1 Introduction
Future expansion planning of electric power distribution systems is encountered
with a great deal of uncertainty due to many unknown parameters that are in-
volved in future load forecasting. For several years, deterministic methods based
on engineering judgement and experiences, and also on worst case conditions, have
been used successively in distribution system expansion planning. Over the past
decade there have been several attempts to systematically take account of uncer-
tainties in evaluation of power system analysis; however, to date no such attempt
has been made to consider uncertainties in distribution system analysis.
Fuzzy set theory has been developed and applied in many engineering and
nonengineering areas in which evaluation of activities and observations are “ fuzzy”
in the sense that they have no short boundaries. Fuzzy set theory enables one to
describe evaluations and observations which diŒer from each other vaguely and
then use them in problem modeling and solving. Application of fuzzy set theory in
distribution analysis can sharpen professional judgement and past experiences in
planning, design, and operations of distribution system. In this process, distribu-
tion load ow calculations are used as a major tool for analyzing the performance
of present and future electric power distribution system. Therefore, in distribution
system planning, sometimes it is required to run load ow programs for some spec-
iŽed time in the future. Because future conditions cannot be determined precisely,
this method allows one to have an expert idea about situations that will actually be
realized in the future. Hence, fuzzy distribution load ow analysis can be used as a
valuable tool by distribution engineers in order to get a better picture for the future

Address correspondence to D. Das.

Manuscript received in Žnal form on January 5, 1999.

1215
 1216 D. Das et al.

system conditions. Application of fuzzy set theory in load ow analysis is in its very
early stage. Miranda et al. [1], Miranda and Saraiva [2], and Kenarangui and SeiŽ
[3] have proposed fuzzy load ow analysis of transmission systems; however, to date
no such work has been carried out for distribution system.
In distribution system, uncertainty in load can directly be taken into account
with the help of concepts from the fuzzy set theory. In fact, one of Lofti Zadeh’s [4,5]
contributions to system modeling is the representation of the vague, incomplete
knowledge or qualitative information that does not have a random nature and
therefore cannot be represented by a probabilistic approach; however, fuzzy set
theory is the basis for the interpretation of membership functions as possibility
distributions [4-7], which is a very powerful concept in many practical applications.
The possibility distributions of load can be derived from qualitative assessment or
linguistic declarations, such as “ load in bus p will be more or less 400 KW.” Several
approaches have been proposed for such representation techniques [6,7].
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The results of a fuzzy distribution load ow study are not only the possibility
distributions of substation current, node voltages, real and reactive power losses,
but also to assess the robustness of the system performance and the degree of
exposure to an uncertain future.

2 Elements of Fuzzy Set Theory

Some basic deŽnitions on fuzzy set theory are described as follows [4].
Let X = {x} be a space objects with a generic element to be denoted by x.
Then a fuzzy set A in X is a set of ordered pairs

A = {x, ¹A (x)} , x 2 X , (1)

where ¹A (x) is called the grade of membership of x in A , and its value is in the
interval [0, 1], with values 0 and 1 representing the lowest and highest grade of
membership.

3 Fuzzy Distribution Load Flow

Figure 1 shows an 11 KV radial distribution network. At every node (except node 1,
which is a substation) there is a distribution transformer (11.0/ 0.44 KV) of diŒerent
KVA rating. With the load growth, the distribution transformers are sometimes
overloaded up to 15% to 20% more than its rated capacity. Imprecise future load
demand is represented by fuzzy possibility distribution functions. An uncertain
load can be represented by a fuzzy number that is in fact a membership function
over the real set. Fuzzy numbers may have a variety of shapes, but for simplicity
we will deal mainly with data represented by trapezoidal membership function. A
linguistic declaration, such as “ peak values of each distribution transformer will
surely not occur below 15% or above 115%, and the least estimate is, say between
80% and 90% of the rated capacity,” can be translated into a fuzzy number shown
in Figure 2, where ®li = 0 .15, ¯il = 0 .80, ¯ir = 0.90 and ®ri = 1 .15.
Fuzzy possibility distribution functions as shown in Figure 2 are basically left
(L) and right (R) types of at fuzzy numbers M = {¯il , ¯ir , ®il , ®ri } such that
$ ( ¯il , ¯ir ) 2 R, ¯il < ¯ir and ¹m (x) = 1 " x 2 [¯il , ¯ir ] and
 Fuzzy Distribution Load Flow 1217
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Figure 1. Single line diagram of an existing distribution feeder.

Figure 2. Fuzzy number representing a qualitative linguistic load prediction.

8
> L(x)
< if ®li £ x £ ¯il ,
¹m (x) = R(x) if ¯ir £ x £ ®ri , (2)
>
:0 otherwise,

where
(x ®li )
L(x) = , (3)
( ¯il ®il )
(x ®ri )
R(x) = . (4)
( ¯ir ®ri )
 1218 D. Das et al.

In equations (2), (3), and (4), x represents the individual KVA demand of distri-
bution transformer. Therefore, (2), (3), and (4) can be written as
8
> L(K VA i )
< if ®li £ KVA i £ ¯il ,
¹m (K VA i ) = R(KVA i ) if ¯ir £ KVA i £ ®ir , (5)
>
:0
,

(KVA i ®li )
L(K VA i ) = , (6)
( ¯il ®li )
(KVA i ®ri )
R(K VA i ) = . (7)
( ¯ir ®ri )
Note that the substation voltage and the network parameters are assumed to have
precise values. For each value of ¹m (KVA i ), two diŒerent values of KVA i load are
Downloaded by [University of Kiel] at 07:58 23 October 2014

obtained from equation (5). Therefore, for each membership value, two load ow
runs are required. To convert the KVA load into real reactive power, a constant
power factor (0.80) is assumed.

4 Voltage Stability Index of Radial Distribution Networks

The modern power distribution network is constantly being faced with an ever-
growing load demand. Distribution networks experience distinct change from a
lower to high load level every day. It has been observed that under certain critical
loading conditions, the distribution system experiences voltage collapse. In a recent
paper by Brownwell [9], actual recordings of this phenomena were demonstrated in
which system voltage collapses periodically. In this section a voltage stability index
is developed for all the nodes of radial distribution networks, and the node which
has higher value of the stability index is more sensitive to the voltage collapse.
Fuzzy possibility distribution of the voltage stability index is also obtained from
which one can have the knowledge of the voltage stability of the system with the
increasing demand.
Figure 3 shows the electrical equivalent of Figure 1,

Figure 3. Electrical equivalent of Figure 1.

where
m1 = sending end node
m2 = receiving end node
jj = branch number
 Fuzzy Distribution Load Flow 1219

R(jj) = resistance of branch jj

X(jj) = reactance of branch jj
I(jj) = current of branch jj
|V(m1 )| = voltage magnitude of node m1
± (m1 ) = voltage angle of node m1
|V(m2 )| = voltage magnitude of node m2
± (m2 ) = voltage angle of node m2
P(m2 ) = total real power load fed through node m2
Q(m2 ) = total reactive power load fed through node m2

From Figure 3 we can write

|V(m1 )| / ±(m1 ) |V(m2 )| / ±(m2 )

I(jj) = (8)
R(jj) + jX(jj)
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and
P(m2 ) jQ(m2 ) = V * (m2 )I(jj) . (9)

From equations (8) and (9), we get

|V(m2 )| 4 + {2[P(m2 )R(jj) + Q(m2 )X(jj)] |V(m1 )| 2 }|V(m2 )| 2

+ (R 2 (jj) + X 2 (jj))(P 2 (m2 ) + Q2 (m2 )) = 0 . (10)

Equation (10) is a quadratic equation of |V(m2 )| 2 and for stability of the network
|V(m2 )| 2 > 0. This will give |V(m2 )| > 0 for stable operation of the radial distribu-
tion network. Therefore, for real and positive |V(m2 )| 2 , we can write

{2[P(m2 )R(jj) + Q(m2 )X(jj)] |V(m1 )| 2 } 2

4.1 .(R 2 (jj) + X 2 (jj))(P2 (m2 ) + Q2 (m2 )) > 0. (11)

After simplifying equation (11), we get

» ¼
[Q(m2 )R(jj) P(m2 )X(jj)]2 [P(m2 )R(jj) + Q(m2 )X(jj)]
4 + < 1 .0 . (12)
|V(m1 )| 4 |V(m1 )| 2

Let
» ¼
[Q(m2 )R(jj) P(m2 )X(jj)]2 [P(m2 )R(jj) + Q(m2 )X(jj)]
L(m2 ) = 4 + . (13)
|V(m1 )| 4 |V(m1 )| 2

For stable operation of the radial distribution networks, L(m2 ) < 1.0 for m2 =
2, 3, . . . , NB. After the load ow study, voltages of all the nodes and branch currents
are known. Hence, P(m2 ) and Q(m2 ) for m2 = 2, 3, . . . , NB can easily be calculated
by using equation (9). Node, which has higher value of voltage stability index, is
more sensitive to voltage collapse; however, network will remain stable as long as
the stability index values of all the nodes are less than 1.
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Table 1
Membership functions of substation current, real and reactive power losses

Variables 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0

1220
Isubstation (amp.) 24.05 45.15 66.5 88.13 110.02 132.02 166.89 172.16 174.44 182.74 188.06 193.4
Ploss (KW) 1.3 4.5 9.7 17.2 26.8 38.7 61.8 65.7 69.8 74.1 78.4 82.9
Qloss (KVAr) 1.2 4.2 9.0 16.0 24.9 35.9 57.3 60.9 64.7 68.7 72.7 70.9
 Downloaded by [University of Kiel] at 07:58 23 October 2014

Table 2
Membership function of voltage magnitude

¹
Node
number 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0

2 0.998 0.992 0.989 0.985 0.981 0.977 0.971 0.971 0.970 0.969 0.968 0.967
3 0.996 0.988 0.983 0.977 0.972 0.966 0.957 0.956 0.954 0.953 0.952 0.950
4 0.994 0.988 0.981 0.974 0.968 0.961 0.951 0.950 0.948 0.947 0.945 0.944
5 0.993 0.986 0.980 0.974 0.967 0.961 0.950 0.949 0.947 0.945 0.944 0.942
6 0.993 0.989 0.983 0.978 0.972 0.967 0.958 0.957 0.955 0.954 0.953 0.951

1221
7 0.994 0.988 0.982 0.976 0.971 0.965 0.956 0.954 0.954 0.952 0.950 0.949
8 0.993 0.988 0.983 0.977 0.971 0.966 0.957 0.955 0.954 0.953 0.951 0.950
9 0.995 0.991 0.987 0.983 0.979 0.974 0.968 0.967 0.966 0.965 0.964 0.963
10 0.995 0.991 0.987 0.982 0.978 0.974 0.967 0.966 0.965 0.964 0.963 0.962
11 0.993 0.986 0.980 0.974 0.969 0.960 0.950 0.949 0.947 0.945 0.944 0.943
12 0.992 0.985 0.979 0.971 0.964 0.957 0.946 0.944 0.943 0.940 0.939 0.937
13 0.991 0.985 0.978 0.970 0.963 0.956 0.944 0.943 0.941 0.939 0.937 0.935
14 0.993 0.986 0.980 0.973 0.966 0.959 0.949 0.947 0.946 0.944 0.942 0.941
15 0.992 0.986 0.979 0.973 0.966 0.959 0.948 0.947 0.945 0.943 0.942 0.940
 Downloaded by [University of Kiel] at 07:58 23 October 2014

Table 3
Membership function of stability index

¹
Node
number 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0

2 0.016 0.031 0.046 0.061 0.076 0.092 0.117 0.121 0.124 0.128 0.132 0.136
3 0.008 0.015 0.023 0.031 0.039 0.047 0.060 0.062 0.064 0.066 0.068 0.070
4 0.003 0.006 0.009 0.012 0.015 0.018 0.024 0.024 0.025 0.026 0.027 0.028
5 0.005 0.001 0.001 0.002 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.005 0.004 0.005
6 0.007 0.014 0.021 0.028 0.036 0.044 0.055 0.057 0.059 0.061 0.063 0.069

1222
7 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.005 0.006 0.007 0.009 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.011 0.011
8 0.001 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.003 0.004 0.005 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.006
9 0.002 0.003 0.005 0.007 0.009 0.011 0.014 0.014 0.015 0.015 0.016 0.016
10 0.001 0.001 0.002 0.002 0.003 0.003 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.005 0.005 0.005
11 0.004 0.007 0.011 0.014 0.002 0.002 0.028 0.029 0.030 0.031 0.032 0.033
12 0.002 0.004 0.066 0.009 0.014 0.014 0.017 0.018 0.019 0.020 0.021 0.022
13 0.001 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.003 0.004 0.005 0.006 0.007 0.007 0.008 0.009
14 0.001 0.002 0.004 0.005 0.006 0.007 0.009 0.010 0.011 0.012 0.013 0.014
15 0.001 0.002 0.004 0.005 0.007 0.008 0.010 0.011 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012
 Fuzzy Distribution Load Flow 1223
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Figure 4. Membership function vs. substation current.

Figure 5. Membership function vs. real power loss.

5 A n Example
A 15-node radial distribution network as shown in Figure 1 is selected for simulation
purposes. Connected KVA loads at every node are given in the Appendix. Network
parameters are assumed to have precise values, and are given in the Appendix.
Substation voltage is also assumed to have precise value V(1) = 1 .0 pu). Tables 1,
2, and 3 depict the results of fuzzy distribution load ow.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 show the possibility distribution of substation current, real
and reactive power losses, and these Žgures are drawn based on the results presented
in Table 1. Figures 4, 5, and 6 provide much wider information to the distribution
engineers about the substation current, real and reactive power losses, of the system,
and this is only possible through fuzzy distribution load ow technique. It is seen
that the possibility distributions of these three quantities are nearly trapezoidal in
shape. Analysis also reveals that the maximum value of stability index occurring
at node 2 for any value of membership function ¹ (0 £ ¹ £ 1).
 1224 D. Das et al.
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Figure 6. Membership function vs. reactive power loss.

Figure 7. Membership function vs. stability index of node 2.

Possibility distribution of stability index of node 2 is also given in Figure 7,

and this Žgure is drawn based on the results presented in Table 3 for node 2. From
Figure 7 it is seen that the possibility distribution of stability index of node 2 is
nearly trapezoidal in shape. In fact, possibility distribution of the stability index of
all other nodes are trapezoidal. Similar Žndings were also observed for the voltage
magnitudes of all the nodes.

6 Conclusions
In this work, fuzzy distribution load ow has been introduced. Fuzzy distribution
load ow analysis is very consistent with realistic situations because it can take
into account the imprecision involved with the expected future load forecast. This
gives us the global picture of the outcome of the network analysis. In fact, if one
is interested in the study of distribution system behavior when the range of power
and load varies widely, the conventional distribution load ow may be used, but
the main problem is that the number of distribution load ow calculations will
 Fuzzy Distribution Load Flow 1225

be tremendously large, where with the fuzzy distribution load ow analysis, one
computer run will provide much wider information. A voltage stability index of
each node for radial distribution network has also been proposed. This voltage
stability index can be used to identify the node, which is more sensitive to the
voltage collapse.

References
[1] V. Miranda, M. A. Matos, and J. T. Saraiva, 1990, “ Fuzzy load ow: New algorithms
incorporating uncertain generation and load representation,” 10t h PSCC, Graz, Au-
gust, in proceedings of the 10t h PSCC, Butterworths, London, 1990.
[2] V. Miranda and J. T. Saraiva, 1992, “ Fuzzy modelling of power system optimal load
ow,” IEEE Transaction on Power Systems, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 843–849.
[3] Rasool Kenarangui and Alireza SaiŽ, 1994, “ Fuzzy System Research,” Vol. 29, pp. 105–
109. power ow analysis,” Electric Power
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[4] L. A. Zadeh, 1965, “ Fuzzy Sets,” Information and Control, pp. 338–353.
[5] L. A. Zadeh, 1978, “ Fuzzy sets as a basis for a theory of possibility,” International
Journal of Fuzzy Sets and Systems, Vol. 1, pp. 3–28.
[6] H. J. Zimmermann, 1965, Fuzzy set theory and its applications: A book, Kluwer-NijhoŒ
Publishing, Boston.
[7] C. Freska, 1982, “ Linguistic Description of Human Judgement in Expert Systems and
in the Soft Sciences,” M. M. Gupta and E. Sanchez, Editors, North Holland, Amster-
dam.
[8] D. Das, D. P. Kothari, and A. Kalam, 1995, “ Simple and e cient method for load ow
solution of radial distribution networks,” International Journal of Electric Power and
Energy Systems, Vol. 17, No. 5, pp. 335–346.
[9] G. Brownwell and H. Clark, 1989, “ Analysis and solutions for bulk system voltage
instability,” IEEE Computer Applications in Power, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 31–35.

A ppendix

Table A 1
Connected KVA load
Node number KVA

1 (substation) 0.0
2 63.0
3 100.0
4 200.0
5 63.0
6 200.0
7 200.0
8 100.0
9 100.0
10 63.0
11 200.0
12 100.0
13 63.0
14 100.0
15 200.0
 1226 D. Das et al.

Table A 2
Line data
Branch Sending Receiving
number end node end node R(ohm) X(ohm)

1 1 2 1.353 1.323
2 2 3 1.170 1.144
3 3 4 0.841 0.822
4 4 5 1.523 1.027
5 2 9 2.013 1.357
6 9 10 1.686 1.357
7 2 6 2.557 1.724
8 6 7 1.088 0.734
9 6 8 1.251 0.844
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10 3 11 1.795 1.211
11 11 12 2.448 1.651
12 12 13 2.013 1.358
13 4 14 2.230 1.304
14 4 15 1.197 0.807