Voltage Regulation in Rural Networks With Distributed Generation

Abstract

The increase in distributed generation (DG) interferes with the energy distribution system, which may present low voltages due to voltage drops and high voltages due to the insertion of distributed generation, resulting from renewable energy sources in rural areas. These voltage levels must be controlled to comply with the limits imposed by the distribution rules and procedures (PRODIST). This study aims to evaluate the voltage rise caused by DG, simulating three DG insertion scenarios, as well as simulate strategies to correct these voltage levels, such as the limitation of the active power supply, the reactive supply by the consumer and the utility, and the installation of on-load tap changers. The simulations were performed using the MATLAB ® program, more specifically the PSAT toolbox. Correction techniques were simulated using the active power supply limitation method, the reactive power supply method by consumers, and the voltage regulator process once the voltage rise effect was identified. The first two proved to be ineffective in this case, while the last one meets the voltage levels required by the National Electric Energy Agency.