Phase Load Balancing in Active Electric Distribution Networks Using the Phase Swapping Smart Devices on Lateral Branches

An efficient approach using a clustering-based optimal placement methodology of some smart devices in the derivation nodes of the active low voltage electric distribution networks for the real-time phase swapping of lateral branches has been proposed in the paper to solve the phase load balancing problem. The results confirmed the robustness of the proposed approach compared with other solutions, leading to the technical benefits regarding energy saving of 29.24% and decreasing the unbalance degree at the low voltage level of the electric distribution substation (the average value in the analyzed period has been of 1.06 p.u. from 1.24 p.u. recorded in the initial unbalance case).