Locating branch points in power flow problems using the integral approximation method

In this paper, we present an efficient continuation method that can reconstruct solution branches and locate branch points in power flow problems. For this purpose, we propose the construction of an integral approximation using points from a solution branch interval obtained using conventional power flow software. This is in contrast to single-point Padé approximation methods, where the power flow problem must be embedded in a complex plane and therefore requires a new type of software. The paper presents simulation examples designed to explain how the proposed algorithm works, as well as to demonstrate the accuracy and computational efficiency of the method.