Ranking loads in power systems-comparison of different approaches

The paper addresses the issue of determining the most influential loads in power systems. Two recently developed techniques are used for load ranking in a real power system. The results obtained by sensitivity based and optimisation based technique are analysed and compared. It is shown that both approaches give valuable information regarding influential loads in a power system. Further, it is shown that for reliable ranking it is necessary to consider all modes of interest, all load parameters and various operating conditions of the power system. The limitations and application of the two techniques are discussed.