Power distribution arrangement

A method in a power distribution arrangement for distributing alternating current (AC) power to a plurality of loads requiring AC power, the power distribution arrangement comprising a power distribution substation comprising a plurality of transformers, each of the transformers being selectively and controllably connectable to at least one power source providing AC power, the power distribution arrangement further comprising a plurality of switches, a plurality of buses and a plurality of feeders, each of the feeders being selectively and controllably connectable to at least one of the loads and to at least one of the transformers, respectively, via one or more of the buses, wherein at least some of the switches are configured to selectively and controllably connect or disconnect one or more of the feeders to or from the one or more of the buses in order to connect or disconnect the one or more feeders to or from at least one of the transformers, the power distribution arrangement further comprising a direct current (DC) transmission line, which at one end thereof is selectively and controllably connectable to the respective ones of the feeders, via at least one bus, via a converter configured to convert DC power to AC power, or vice versa, and at another end thereof is connected or connectable to another power distribution substation, wherein at least one of the switches is configured to selectively and controllably connect or disconnect the DC transmission line to or from the at least one bus in order to connect or disconnect the DC transmission line to or from the feeders, the method comprising:

• controlling any power transfer via the DC transmission line from the other power distribution substation to the at least one bus;
• and
• controlling operation of the switches to selectively connect or disconnect one or more of the feeders to or from at least one of the transformers via one or more of the buses and to selectively connect or disconnect the DC transmission line to or from one or more of the feeders via the at least one bus, whereby AC power is distributed to the loads via the feeders;
• wherein the controlling of the operation of the switches is based on:
• loading in and a power transfer rating of the respective ones of the feeders, loading in and a power transfer rating of the respective ones of the transformers, and any power transfer via the DC transmission line from the other power distribution substation to the at least one bus.