Load Flow Study and Reactive Power Optimization in Nouakchott Power Grid

Abstract To solve the problem of load flow, we use the iterative methods, including that of Newton-Raphson and that of Gauss-Seidel. These methods allow us to calculate the power flow, determine the voltages values on the different buses, and calculate the power losses of the electrical networks. These two are important indicators to analyze the quality of the studied network. Analysis and comparison of the found results using the two numerical methods programmed on the matlab software lead us to seek means of controlling the reactive powers and the bus voltages. In our case, the active power demand at bus level will be steadily increased, creating a bad voltage profile (outside the limits of 0.95 and 1.05 pu), considering that the production and energy demand are difficult to match due to lack of energy infrastructures. To solve these problems, it is proposed to install a FACTS (Flexible Alternative Current Transmission Systems) system at these buses to compensate or provide reactive power in order to maintain a better voltage profile and transmit more power to customers. This action is relevant for networks with a very limited number of buses, such as Mauritania.