In this dissertation, several volt-var optimization methods have been proposed to improve the expected performance of the distribution system using distributed renewable energy sources and conventional volt-var control equipment: photovoltaic inverter reactive power control for chance-constrained distribution system performance optimisation, integrated distribution system optimization using a chance-constrained formulation, integrated control of distribution system equipment and distributed generation inverters, and coordination of PV inverters and voltage regulators considering generation correlation and voltage quality constraints for loss minimization. Distributed generation sources (DGs) have important benefits, including the use of renewable resources, increased customer participation, and decreased losses. However, as the penetration level of DGs increases, the technical challenges of integrating these resources into the power system increase as well. One such challenge is the rapid variation of voltages along distribution feeders in response to DG output fluctuations, and the traditional volt-var control equipment and inverter-based DG can be used to address this challenge. These methods aim to achieve an optimal expected performance with respect to the figure of merit of interest to the distribution system operator while maintaining appropriate system voltage magnitudes and considering the uncertainty of DG power injections. The first method is used to optimize only the reactive power output of DGs to improve system performance (e.g., operating profit) and compensate for variations in active power injection while maintaining appropriate system voltage magnitudes and considering the uncertainty of DG power injections over the interval of interest. The second method proposes an integrated volt-var control based on a control action ahead of time to find the optimal voltage regulation tap settings and inverter reactive control parameters to improve the expected system performance (e.g., operating profit) while keeping the voltages across the system within specified ranges and considering the uncertainty of DG power injections over the interval of interest. In the third method, an integrated control strategy is formulated for the coordinated control of both distribution system equipment and inverter-based DG. This control strategy combines the use of inverter reactive power capability with the operation of voltage regulators to improve the expected value of the desired figure of merit (e.g., system losses) while maintaining appropriate system voltage magnitudes. The fourth method proposes a coordinated control strategy of voltage and reactive power control equipment to improve the expected system performance (e.g., system losses and voltage profiles) while considering the spatial correlation among the DGs and keeping voltage magnitudes within permissible limits, by formulating chance constraints on the voltage magnitude and considering the uncertainty of PV power injections over the interval of interest. The proposed methods require infrequent communication with the distribution system operator and base their decisions on short-term forecasts (i.e., the first and second methods) and long-term forecasts (i.e., the third and fourth methods). The proposed methods achieve the best set of control actions for all voltage and reactive power control equipment to improve the expected value of the figure of merit proposed in this dissertation without violating any of the operating constraints. The proposed methods are validated using the IEEE 123-node radial distribution test feeder.

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The modern day power system is witnessing a tremendous change. There has been a rapid rise in the distributed generation, along with this the deregulation has resulted in a more complex system. The power demand is on a rise, the generation and trans-mission infrastructure hasn't yet adapted to this growing demand. The economic and operational constraints have forced the system to be operated close to its design limits, making the system vulnerable to disturbances and possible grid failure. This makes the study of voltage stability of the system important more than ever. Generally, voltage stability studies are carried on a single phase equivalent system assuming that the system is perfectly balanced. However, the three phase power system is not always in balanced state. There are a number of untransposed lines, single phase and double phase lines. This thesis deals with three phase voltage stability analysis, in particular the voltage stability index known as L-Index. The equivalent single phase analysis for voltage stability fails to work in case of any unbalance in the system or in presence of asymmetrical contingency. Moreover, as the system operators are giving importance to synchrophasor measurements, PMUs are being installed throughout the system. Hence, the three phase voltages can be obtained, making three phase analysis easier. To study the effect of unbalanced system on voltage stability a three phase L-Index based on traditional L-Index has been proposed. The proposed index takes into consideration the unbalance resulting due to untransposed transmission lines and unbalanced loads in the system. This index can handle any unbalance in the system and is much more realistic. To obtain bus voltages during unbalanced operation of the system a three phase decoupled Newton Raphson load ow was used. Reactive power distribution in a system can be altered using generators voltage set-ting, transformers OLTC settings and SVC settings. All these settings are usually in balanced mode i.e. all the phases have the same setting. Based on this reactive power optimization using LP technique on an equivalent single phase system is proposed. This method takes into account generator voltage settings, OLTC settings of transformers and SVC settings. The optimal settings so obtained are applied to corresponding three phase system. The effectiveness of the optimal settings during unbalanced scenario is studied. This method ensures better voltage pro les and decrease in power loss. Case studies of the proposed methods are carried on 12 bus and 24 bus EHV systems of southern Indian grid and a modified IEEE 30 bus system. Both balanced and unbalanced systems are studied and the results are compared.