Improving the operation of medium voltage networks through optimal management of generation, energy storage and transformer ratio

¹ Department of Power Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, Lublin, Poland
² Department of Power Electronics and Power Engineering, Rzeszów University of Technology, Rzeszów, Poland
³ Rzeszów University of Technology, Rzeszów, Poland

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 11 June 2026

Abstract

High periodic generation from distributed sources, primarily renewables such as photovoltaic and wind farms, contributes to various technical problems in power grids. In radial networks, one of the most common issues is related to voltage profile and voltage deviations. Focusing on medium-voltage distribution networks fed from one side, these problems arise in practice, and sometimes transformer ratio control is insufficient to eliminate them. Therefore, other voltage control methods become necessary. This article presents a methodology for eliminating voltage problems and smoothing the voltage profile in a medium-voltage network containing renewable sources. Using the reactive power control capabilities of renewable energy sources, the transformer ratio control, and the control capabilities of an optimally selected energy storage system, the effectiveness of the presented approach is demonstrated using the example of an IEEE 69 bus test network. With such a tool, operators will be able to effectively respond to various negative grid operating states and eliminate existing voltage problems. The proposed methodology, which uses various metaheuristic optimisation algorithms, is inexpensive and effective in operation.