Fast screening approach to estimate the hosting capacity of rooftop PV generators in electric power distribution systems

Abstract

Summary The recent changes in distribution systems have challenged utilities to assess the unprecedented volume of photovoltaic (PV) generator connections, which can result in adverse technical impacts from voltage rise and conductor overload. Therefore, a fast and effective way to analyze a distribution system's capacity to host new PV generators is crucial for the utilities. Usually, the connection assessments are based on repetitive power flow and short‐circuit calculations, and even though these analyses can be accurate, they require a steep increase in person‐hours and processing time. A simpler way to identify the hosting capacity of distribution systems to the connection of new PV generators is the adoption of connection assessment tools that, if properly designed, allow utility engineers to evaluate quickly if a new PV generator can be connected or not. This work proposes a connection assessment tool based on a fast screening approach that allows utility engineers to graphically analyze if a rooftop PV can be connected to a distribution system without causing adverse impacts. Tests of the proposed method are performed in two real distribution systems, attesting to its efficiency.

Investigation on Using Low Voltage Automatic Regulation to Minimize the Impacts of Charging Plug-in Electric Vehicles in Distribution Systems

“…The electrical system used to study the impacts of PEVs was a real Brazilian radial DS, with an MV system and 47 LV networks (i.e., systems with voltages below 1.0 kV), modeled by [8] in the OpenDSS software [9]. Table I shows the key characteristics of these systems.…”

“…The system under study did not present any automatic voltage regulator in its original version provided by [8]. However, in this paper, an automatic voltage regulator was inserted into the MV network, located on the middle of the feeder's main trunk.…”

“…The system under study did not present any automatic voltage regulator in its original version provided by [8].…”

Statistical Analysis of Photovoltaic Distributed Generation Penetration Impacts on a Utility Containing Hundreds of Feeders

“…There are studies that have determined how the performance of a grid is altered with an increase in the level of PVDG integration. Certain authors [4], [5], [23]- [38] evaluated variations in voltage magnitudes, technical losses and peak demands, or the reversal of the power flow direction. There are also studies that analyzed the number of operations on the transformer taps, harmonic distortions, voltage unbalances and fluctuations [4], [23], [24], [27].…”

“…Most papers that have used real data investigated only one or two feeders [5], [25]- [27], [32], [35], although a given utility may possess hundreds of feeders with different topologies. According to [39], feeders have different load types (residential, commercial, industrial or a combination thereof), load densities (urban or rural), construction types, voltage levels, as well as other aspects.…”