Multi-phase losses allocation method for active distribution networks based on branch current decomposition

Losses allocation, being a purely economical problem, demands a fair allocation procedure that can distribute the losses in an impartial manner by avoiding cross-subsidies among end users. In view of this, a novel multi-phase losses allocation methodology is proposed, which fairly segregates the losses associated with cross-terms of phase-currents and also provides an explicit information about losses allocated to the neutral. The effect of phase loading on another phase is comprehensively taken into consideration while distributing losses among end users. Furthermore, allocation of neutral losses to each phase of a node is avoided as these losses exist in a system due to its inherent characteristics. Quadratic and geometric losses partitioning approaches have been utilized to determine the share of losses between phase currents of same and different nodes. The methodology is implemented on a modified IEEE 13-node test system in the presence of distributed generators and results show that the proposed scheme leads to a more fair penalization and reward of passive and active end users as compared to the resistive component based losses allocation method. In addition to this, concept of neutral losses allocation factor along with their possible application in the management of distribution network has also been discussed briefly.