Md.

Anawar Ibrahim (Ananta)

Reg: 3098; EEE-03

➢ Load Flow Analysis: Load flow (or power flow) analysis is a

method for analyzing electrical quantities like voltage, current,
power flow and reactive power at different points within the
system but only under normal operating conditions.
Importance:
1. Planning and Expansion: Helps engineers to plan for future
growth in electricity demand by predicting the impact of adding
new components (loads, generators, lines) to the grid. This
ensures efficient operation and minimizes losses.

2. Operation and Control: Improves control of existing systems

by identifying potential issues before they occur.

• Load Flow Problem: In this analysis, single line diagram of power

system contains hundreds of buses and branches with impedances
specified in per unit an a common MVA base.
Load flow studies analyze the electrical power systems under
normal conditions to determine:
1. Voltage Magnitude
2. Voltage Angle
3. Real power
4. Reactive Power

✓ How was the flow of power in the system

✓ During the process system must be steady-state/settled down
✓ Since loads are dynamic throughout the time, Load flow analysis
can’t be eventually performed

 Power flow studies commonly referred as load flow are essential of

power system analysis and design.

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 Md. Anawar Ibrahim (Ananta)
Reg: 3098; EEE-03

➢ Bus Classification:
Load flow studies categorize buses in a power system network based
on which electrical quantities are known (specified) and which need
to be calculated (determined). In each bus two variables are known
(specified) and two are to be (determined).
There are three main bus types:
1. Swing Bus / Slack Bus / Reference Bus:
Specified: Voltage magnitude (|𝑉𝑖 |) and phase angle (𝛿𝑖 ).
Determined: Active power (𝑃𝑖 ) and reactive power (𝑄𝑖 ).
Function: Acts as the reference point for the system and adjusts to
maintain power balance.

2. Generator Bus (Voltage-Controlled Bus / P-V Bus):

Specified: Voltage magnitude (|𝑉𝑖 |) and active power (𝑃𝑖 ).
Determined: Phase angle (𝛿𝑖 ) and reactive power (𝑄𝑖 ).
Function: Represents power generation points where voltage is
controlled.

3. Load Bus (P-Q Bus):

Specified: Active power (𝑃𝑖 ) and reactive power (𝑄𝑖 ).
Determined: Voltage magnitude (|𝑉𝑖 |) and phase angle (𝛿𝑖 ).
Function: Represents points where power is consumed.

Additional Notes:
1. Buses with no load or generation can be treated as load buses
with 𝑷𝒊 = 𝑸𝒊 = 𝟎.
2. If a bus has both load and generation, the load is typically
treated as negative generation.

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 Md. Anawar Ibrahim (Ananta)
Reg: 3098; EEE-03

➢ Bus Admittance Matrix, 𝐘𝐛𝐮𝐬 :

Consider a small power system network consisting of two generating
stations, three transmission lines, one load and a static capacitor
connected to load bus. We shall assume that the network is
symmetrical and operating under balanced conditions.

𝑽
𝑰= = 𝑽𝒀
𝑹
Applying Nodal analysis,
𝑰𝟏 = (𝑽𝟏 − 𝑽𝟐 )𝒀𝟏𝟐 + (𝑽𝟏 − 𝑽𝟑 )𝒀𝟏𝟑
𝐼1 = 𝑉1 𝑌12 − 𝑉2 𝑌12 + 𝑉1 𝑌13 − 𝑉3 𝑌13
∴ 𝑰𝟏 = 𝑽𝟏 (𝒀𝟏𝟐 + 𝒀𝟏𝟑 ) − 𝑽𝟐 𝒀𝟏𝟐 − 𝑽𝟑 𝒀𝟏𝟑

𝑰𝟐 = (𝑽𝟐 − 𝑽𝟏 )𝒀𝟐𝟏 + (𝑽𝟐 − 𝑽𝟑 )𝒀𝟐𝟑

𝐼2 = 𝑉2 𝑌21 − 𝑉1 𝑌21 + 𝑉2 𝑌23 − 𝑉3 𝑌23
∴ 𝑰𝟐 = −𝑽𝟏 𝒀𝟐𝟏 + 𝑽𝟐 (𝒀𝟐𝟏 + 𝒀𝟐𝟑 ) − 𝑽𝟑 𝒀𝟐𝟑

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 Md. Anawar Ibrahim (Ananta)
Reg: 3098; EEE-03

−𝑰𝟑 = (𝑽𝟑 − 𝑽𝟏 )𝒀𝟑𝟏 + (𝑽𝟑 − 𝑽𝟐 )𝒀𝟑𝟐 + 𝑽𝟑𝟎 𝒀𝟑𝟎

−𝐼3 = 𝑉3 𝑌31 − 𝑉1 𝑌31 + 𝑉3 𝑌32 − 𝑉2 𝑌32 + 𝑉3 𝑌30
∴ −𝑰𝟑 = −𝑽𝟏 𝒀𝟑𝟏 − 𝑽𝟐 𝒀𝟑𝟐 + 𝑽𝟑 (𝒀𝟑𝟏 + 𝒀𝟑𝟐 + 𝒀𝟑𝟎 )

So, the Matrix will be,

𝑰𝟏 𝒀𝟏𝟐 + 𝒀𝟏𝟑 −𝒀𝟏𝟐 −𝒀𝟏𝟑 𝑽𝟏
∴ [ 𝑰𝟐 ] = [ −𝒀𝟐𝟏 𝒀𝟐𝟏 + 𝒀𝟐𝟑 −𝒀𝟐𝟑 ] . [𝑽𝟐 ]
−𝑰𝟑 −𝒀𝟑𝟏 −𝒀𝟑𝟐 𝒀𝟑𝟏 + 𝒀𝟑𝟐 + 𝒀𝟑𝟎 𝑽𝟑
Where,
𝒀𝟏𝟐 + 𝒀𝟏𝟑 = 𝒀𝟏𝟏
−𝒀𝟏𝟐 = 𝒀𝟏𝟐
−𝒀𝟏𝟑 = 𝒀𝟏𝟑
−𝒀𝟐𝟏 = 𝒀𝟐𝟏
𝒀𝟐𝟏 + 𝒀𝟐𝟑 = 𝒀𝟐𝟐
−𝒀𝟐𝟑 = 𝒀𝟐𝟑
−𝒀𝟑𝟏 = 𝒀𝟑𝟏
−𝒀𝟑𝟐 = 𝒀𝟑𝟐
𝒀𝟑𝟏 + 𝒀𝟑𝟐 + 𝒀𝟑𝟎 = 𝒀𝟑𝟑

𝑰𝟏 𝒀𝟏𝟏 𝒀𝟏𝟐 𝒀𝟏𝟑 𝑽𝟏

[ 𝑰𝟐 ] = [𝒀𝟐𝟏 𝒀𝟐𝟐 𝒀𝟐𝟑 ] . [𝑽𝟐 ]
−𝑰𝟑 𝒀𝟑𝟏 𝒀𝟑𝟐 𝒀𝟑𝟑 𝑽𝟑
So,
𝑰𝟏 𝒀𝟏𝟏 𝒀𝟏𝟐 𝒀𝟏𝟑 𝑽𝟏
[𝑰𝟐 ] = [𝒀𝟐𝟏 𝒀𝟐𝟐 𝒀𝟐𝟑 ] . [𝑽𝟐 ]
𝑰𝒏 𝒀𝒏𝟏 𝒀𝒏𝟐 𝒀𝒏𝟑 𝑽𝒏

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 Md. Anawar Ibrahim (Ananta)
Reg: 3098; EEE-03

∴ 𝑰𝒃𝒖𝒔 = 𝒀𝒃𝒖𝒔 𝑽𝒃𝒖𝒔

Where,
𝑰𝟏
𝑰𝒃𝒖𝒔 = [𝑰𝟐 ]
𝑰𝒏
𝒀𝟏𝟏 𝒀𝟏𝟐 𝒀𝟏𝟑
𝒀𝒃𝒖𝒔 = [𝒀𝟐𝟏 𝒀𝟐𝟐 𝒀𝟐𝟑 ]
𝒀𝒏𝟏 𝒀𝒏𝟐 𝒀𝒏𝟑
𝑽𝟏
𝑽𝒃𝒖𝒔 = [𝑽𝟐 ]
𝑽𝒏

➢ Static Load Flow Equations:

From the nodal current equations, the total current entering the 𝑖 𝑡ℎ bus
of an n-bus system given by
𝑰𝒊 = 𝒀𝒊 𝟏 𝑽𝟏 + 𝒀𝒊 𝟐 𝑽𝟐 + 𝒀𝒊 𝟑 𝑽𝟑 + ⋯ … . +𝒀𝒊 𝒋 𝑽𝒋 + ⋯ + 𝒀𝒊 𝒏 𝑽𝒏
𝒏

= ∑ 𝒀𝒊 𝒌 𝑽𝒌
𝒌=𝟏

Let,
𝑽𝒌 ∠𝜹𝒌 ; 𝒀𝒊𝒌 = 𝒀𝒊𝒌 ∠𝜽𝒊𝒌
𝒏

∴ 𝑰𝒊 = ∑ 𝒀𝒊 𝒌 𝑽𝒌 ∠(𝜹𝒌 + 𝜽𝒊𝒌 )
𝒌=𝟏

The complex power injected into the 𝑖 𝑡ℎ bus is

𝑺𝒊 = 𝑽𝒊 𝑰∗𝒊 = 𝑷𝒊 + 𝒋𝑸𝒊
Since,
𝑽𝒊 ∠𝜹𝒊
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 Md. Anawar Ibrahim (Ananta)
Reg: 3098; EEE-03
𝒏

∴ 𝑰∗𝒊 = ∑ 𝒀𝒊 𝒌 𝑽𝒌 ∠(−𝜹𝒌 − 𝜽𝒊𝒌 )

𝒌=𝟏
𝒏

∴ 𝑺𝒊 = 𝑷𝒊 + 𝒋𝑸𝒊 = 𝑽𝒊 𝑰∗𝒊 = 𝑽𝒊 ∑ 𝒀𝒊 𝒌 𝑽𝒌 ∠(𝜹𝒊 − 𝜹𝒌 − 𝜽𝒊𝒌 )

𝒌=𝟏

Separation of real and imaginary parts gives

Real, 𝑷𝒊 = 𝑽𝒊 ∑𝒏𝒌=𝟏 𝒀𝒊 𝒌 𝑽𝒌 𝐜𝐨𝐬 (𝜹𝒊 − 𝜹𝒌 − 𝜽𝒊𝒌 )
Reactive, 𝑸𝒊 = 𝑽𝒊 ∑𝒏𝒌=𝟏 𝒀𝒊 𝒌 𝑽𝒌 𝐬𝐢𝐧 (𝜹𝒊 − 𝜹𝒌 − 𝜽𝒊𝒌 )
Here, 𝒊 = 𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑, … 𝒏

➢ Load Flow Solution Methods:

There are various iterative methods used for solving load flow
problems in power systems. These methods rely on either the bus
admittance matrix (Ybus ) or the bus impedance matrix (Zbus ).
Ideal Load Flow Method Characteristics:
1. High Speed (Fast Convergence): Finds the solution quickly
with minimal iterations.
2. Minimal Storage: Requires low memory usage for calculations.
3. Simplicity and Easy to Program: Easy to implement and
understand of computer programming.
4. Reliability for Complex Systems: Works accurately even for
challenging systems with:
▪ Mixed impedance levels (very high and very low)
▪ Long, high-voltage transmission lines (EHV lines)
▪ Significant series capacitance
▪ Series and shunt compensation (techniques to improve power
flow)
➢ Methods of Load Flow Analysis:
1. Gauss Seidal Method
2. Newton Raphson Method
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 Md. Anawar Ibrahim (Ananta)
Reg: 3098; EEE-03

➢ Gauss Seidal Method Using 𝐘𝐛𝐮𝐬 :

From the nodal current equations, the total current entering the 𝑖 𝑡ℎ
bus of an n-bus system given by
𝒏

𝑰𝒊 = 𝒀𝒊 𝟏 𝑽𝟏 + 𝒀𝒊 𝟐 𝑽𝟐 + ⋯ … . +𝒀𝒊 𝒋 𝑽𝒋 + ⋯ + 𝒀𝒊 𝒏 𝑽𝒏 = ∑ 𝒀𝒊 𝒌 𝑽𝒌
𝒌=𝟏
𝒏

𝑰𝒊 = ∑ 𝒀𝒊 𝒌 𝑽𝒌
𝒌=𝟏

The complex power injected into the 𝑖 𝑡ℎ bus is

𝑺𝒊 = 𝑽𝒊 𝑰∗𝒊 = 𝑷𝒊 + 𝒋𝑸𝒊
The complex conjugate of 𝑺𝒊 ,
𝑺𝒊∗ = 𝑽∗𝒊 𝑰𝒊 = 𝑷𝒊 − 𝒋𝑸𝒊
 𝑽∗𝒊 𝑰𝒊 = 𝑷𝒊 − 𝒋𝑸𝒊
𝑷𝒊 −𝒋𝑸𝒊
 𝑰𝒊 =
𝑽∗𝒊
𝒏
𝑷𝒊 − 𝒋𝑸𝒊
= ∑ 𝒀𝒊 𝒌 𝑽𝒌
𝑽∗𝒊
𝒌=𝟏

So,
𝑷𝒊 − 𝒋𝑸𝒊
= 𝒀𝒊 𝟏 𝑽𝟏 + 𝒀𝒊 𝟐 𝑽𝟐 + ⋯ … . +𝒀𝒊 𝒋 𝑽𝒋 + ⋯ + 𝒀𝒊 𝒏 𝑽𝒏
𝑽∗𝒊
Therefore, the voltage at any bus 𝒊 where 𝑷𝒊 and 𝑸𝒊 are specified is
given as,
𝒏
𝑷𝒊 − 𝒋𝑸𝒊
= ∑ 𝒀𝒊 𝒌 𝑽𝒌 + 𝒀𝒊 𝒊 𝑽𝒊
𝑽∗𝒊
𝒌=𝟏
𝒌≠𝒊
𝒏
𝑷𝒊 − 𝒋𝑸𝒊
− ∑ 𝒀𝒊 𝒌 𝑽𝒌 = 𝒀𝒊 𝒊 𝑽𝒊
𝑽∗𝒊
𝒌=𝟏
𝒌≠𝟏

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 Md. Anawar Ibrahim (Ananta)
Reg: 3098; EEE-03

𝒏
𝑷𝒊 − 𝒋𝑸𝒊 𝟏
𝑽𝒊 = [ − ∑ 𝒀 𝑽
𝒊𝒌 𝒌 ]
𝑽∗𝒊 𝒀𝒊 𝒊
𝒌=𝟏
𝒌≠𝟏

𝒏
𝟏 𝑷𝒊 − 𝒋𝑸𝒊
𝑽𝒊 = [ − ∑ 𝒀𝒊 𝒌 𝑽𝒌 ]
𝒀𝒊𝒊 𝑽∗𝒊
𝒌=𝟏
𝒌≠𝒊

At bus 2,
𝟏 𝑷𝟐 − 𝒋𝑸𝟐
𝑽𝟐 = [ − 𝒀𝟐 𝟏 𝑽𝟏 − 𝒀𝟐 𝟑 𝑽𝟑 − 𝒀𝟐 𝟒 𝑽𝟒 +. . … . −𝒀𝟐 𝒏 𝑽𝒏 ]
𝒀 𝟐𝟐 𝑽∗𝟐

At bus 3,
𝟏 𝑷𝟑 − 𝒋𝑸𝟑
𝑽𝟑 = [ − 𝒀𝟑 𝟏 𝑽𝟏 − 𝒀𝟑 𝟐 𝑽𝟐 − 𝒀𝟑 𝟒 𝑽𝟒 +. . … . −𝒀𝟑 𝒏 𝑽𝒏 ]
𝒀 𝟑𝟑 𝑽∗𝟑

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 Md. Anawar Ibrahim (Ananta)
Reg: 3098; EEE-03

➢ Assumptions:
1. Generator modeled as complex power
injection.
2. Load will be modeled as constant P, Q loads
3. Transmission line represented as 𝛑-modeled
or series impedance
4. Load flow analysis is done by taking a
snapshot of a power system network at a
particular instant such that loads at buses
should not change
5. Harmonics supplies are neglected. Because 𝐘𝐛𝐮𝐬 depends on
frequency
6. Frequency of supply is maintained as constant
7. No High Voltage DC (HVDC) links are considered
8. Always the network is lumped parameter model
9. Even if load changes load flow analysis is not impacted because
we use constant value of load