Adaptive and fair optimization of smart inverter droop curves in distribution grids

Advanced distribution management systems (ADMS) increasingly rely on smart inverter (SI)-based resources for voltage regulation and optimization in modern distribution grids. However, conventional Volt–Var (Q–V) droop settings prescribed by IEEE-1547 remain static, limiting adaptive coordination and often resulting in unfair photovoltaic (PV) curtailments. This paper proposes a fairness-aware and adaptive optimization model to determine SI Volt–Var droop settings with variable breakpoints, ensuring IEEE 1547 compatibility within a multi-period distribution optimal power flow (DOPF) formulation. The framework builds upon an established Current–Voltage AC Optimal Power Flow (IVACOPF) model and introduces new power loss constraints to enhance accuracy. The framework supports fairness-aware curtailment policies, including egalitarian, proportional, and priority-based schemes, with the latter reformulated to eliminate conditional expressions for solver compatibility. Simulations on a modified 33-bus feeder with 15- min resolution profiles and hourly breakpoint updates demonstrate significant improvements in voltage regulation and reactive power control. The model converges within four min, making it suitable for operational use.