Assessment of overvoltage mitigation techniques in low‐voltage distribution networks with high penetration of photovoltaic microgeneration. Issue 6 (15th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Camilo, Fernando M.; Castro, Rui; Almeida, Maria Eduarda; Fernão Pires, Victor
• Is Part Of: IET renewable power generation. Volume 12:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 649
• Page End: 656
• Publication Date: 2018-02-15
• Subjects: photovoltaic power systems -- overvoltage protection -- power generation protection -- power distribution protection -- load flow -- transformer substations -- profitability -- power generation economics; overvoltage mitigation technique assessment -- low‐voltage distribution network -- photovoltaic microgeneration high penetration -- greenhouse gas emission -- renewable energy source implementation -- microgeneration deployment -- μG penetration -- reverse power flow avoidance -- service transformer -- unbalanced three‐phase power flow algorithm -- current summation method -- highly unbalanced test radial LV distribution network -- active power flow -- power losses -- overvoltage elimination -- substation -- project profitability; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; 333.79405
• DOI: 10.1049/iet-rpg.2017.0482
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-1416

Abstract

Abstract : Nowadays, a strong concern to decrease greenhouse gas emissions is encouraging the implementation of renewable energy sources closer to end‐users, in low‐voltage (LV) distribution networks. Due to the expected high microgeneration (µG) penetration level, several problems are likely to arise, such as overvoltages and reverse power flow. This study presents a review of the several techniques used to deal with these problems. These are compared in terms of their capacity to smooth the voltage profile and avoid reverse power flow. An unbalanced three‐phase power flow algorithm, based on current summation method for radial distribution networks, is proposed. A study based on a highly unbalanced test radial LV distribution network for a typical summer day, with a high µG penetration, is performed. The voltage profile, active power flow in the service transformer, and power losses on the network are the monitored electrical quantities. The obtained results indicate that self‐consumption with storage is the recommended solution to eliminate overvoltages, to avoid reverse power flow and allow for a decreasing in the power losses. Nevertheless, the economic viability of this solution must be carefully assessed, because the profitability of the project is not straightforward at the current time.