The Critical Role of Computationally Robust AC Optimal Power Flow in Reliable and Efficient Reactive Power/Voltage Dispatch

While it has been known for a long time that reactive power and voltage support must be provided in order to operate complex electric power grids reliably, this need has recently become more apparent. In particular, provision and valuing of reactive power and voltage control are becoming increasingly complex as the electric power grid is being utilized in qualitatively new ways. Adequate voltage support requires careful coordination of adding hardware and its on-line utilization. Given the overall complexity of today´s electric power grids, we propose that it is critical to rely on robust software for assessing potential voltage problems and for scheduling of available reactive power/voltage control resources as loading and equipment status vary. We illustrate the potential benefits from developing and using a new generation of software for corrective scheduling as loading and network conditions vary over broad ranges. The potential benefits are described using a large-scale New England electric power system representation