Energy Equity‐Aware Load Shedding Optimisation Methodology

ABSTRACT Load shedding is usually the last resort to balance generation and demand to maintain stable operation of the electric grid after major disturbances, such as generation trips. Current load‐shedding optimisation practices focus mainly on the physical optimality of the network power flow to re‐dispatch generation after the contingencies. This might lead to an uneven allocation of load curtailment, hence disadvantaging some loads more than others due to the network properties. Addressing this oversight, this article introduces an innovative equity‐aware load‐shedding optimisation model emphasising a fair allocation of load curtailment across the network. First, a novel equity indicator for load shedding is proposed based on the concept of the Gini coefficient. Then, the equity constraint is integrated into an alternating‐current optimal power flow (ACOPF)‐based optimisation framework. Case studies performed on the IEEE 14‐bus and 118‐bus systems highlight the importance of equity considerations in determining optimal load curtailment between buses. The proposed equity‐aware load‐shedding model offers grid operators a potential alternative strategy to select alternatives.