Optimal stochastic placement of wind turbines and soft open points in distribution networks

This study optimizes the allocation of wind turbine-based distributed generators (WDGs) using Soft Open Points (SOPs). SOPs are advanced electronic devices that regulate active and reactive power flow within distribution networks, significantly enhancing their efficiency and flexibility. A stochastic multi-modal approach is employed to model wind speed utilizing the mixture of gamma (MG) probability distribution function (PDF), enabling accurate modeling of wind power output. The problem is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP) and solved using a mathematical programming approach. A single profit objective function is employed, incorporating all criteria enumerated in terms of their monetary values. An independent aggregate congestion metric has been used to evaluate the effectiveness of the allocated SOPs. The proposed method is validated through analysis, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving the overall performance of distribution networks. The approach is tested on a typical distribution system, with results evaluated from a planning perspective.