The concern of increasing renewable energy penetration into the grid together with the reduction of prices of photovoltaic solar panels during the last decade have enabled the development of large scale solar power plants connected to the medium and high voltage grid. Photovoltaic generation components, the internal layout and the ac collection grid are being investigated for ensuring the best design, operation and control of these power plants. This article addresses the review of components as photovoltaic panels, converters and transformers utilized in large scale photovoltaic power plants. In addition, the distribution of these components along this type of power plant and the collection grid topologies are also presented and discussed.
The paper proposes an algorithm for active and reactive power management in large PV power plants. The algorithm is designed in order to fulfil the requirements of the most demanding grid codes and combines the utilisation of the PV inverters, fixed switched capacitors and STATCOMs. The control algorithm is simulated as required by the grid codes and validated on a real 9.4 MW photovoltaic power plant.
The recent increase of intermittent power generation plants connected to the electric power grids may stress the operation of power systems. So, grid codes started considering these power plants should con- tribute to the grid support functions. Recently, a power ramp rate limitation is being included in several grid codes, which is a challenge for photovoltaic installations due to the lack of inertia. This paper pre- sents a method to deal with the main grid code requirements considering a PV plant with an energy stor- age device, where a strict two-second time window ramp rate restriction is applied. A direct ramp rate control strategy is used, which includes a dynamic SOC control and battery support functionality for active power setpoint compliance. The control strategy is validated by simulations.Postprint (published version
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