Pseudo-loadflow formulation as a starting process for the Newton Raphson algorithm

This paper introduces new models which approximate the AC loadflow problem, but are able to converge (using the Newton Raphson algorithm) from a wider range of starting points. The solution of the pseudo-loadflow models can provide a robust starting process for the Newton Raphson solution of the conventional loadflow problem. It is also shown that pseudo-loadflow solutions exist in many cases where the AC loadflow equations do not appear to have any solution, and in such cases the pseudo-loadflow solution can provide useful information to assist in locating the cause of infeasibility of the AC loadflow model. Test results are presented for illustrative small network examples and also for larger test networks. The computational requirements of the proposed methods are similar to those of the conventional Newton Raphson loadflow algorithm.