Real-time optimal management of reverse power flow in integrated power and gas distribution grids under large renewable power penetration

Exponential penetration of renewable generation has led to the new issues in power distribution systems, such as reverse power flow in the feeders. In the case of sizable distributed generation during lower demand, the power tends to travel in the reverse direction. This, in turn, could cause serious operational issues such as voltage rise, extra heat in the transformers, and maloperation of protective devices. Newly emerging technologies for power-to-gas (PtG) conversion are now offering effective solutions to the problem. The proliferation of PtG facilities can lead to the deployment of integrated natural gas and power systems in the near future. PtG and gas-fired, i.e. gas-to-power (GtP), units can be utilised to address several issues in an integrated power and gas network. This study unveils the application of bi-directional energy converters within an integrated gas and power system for distribution system reverse power management (DSRPM). To that end, a new real-time algorithm is proposed for optimal joint scheduling of PtG and GtP units for DSRPM. A new index is also developed that would quantify the contribution of the PtG-GtP system to DSRPM. Numerical results using real-world data on a test system substantiate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.