A simple method for estimating the effectiveness of reactive power‐based low‐voltage ride‐through support of the distributed energy resources

Abstract

Abstract The increasing number of distributed energy resources (DERs) leads to the need for DER that can provide ancillary service, such as low‐voltage ride‐through (LVRT) voltage support. The support is made to improve the short‐term voltage stability in power systems. Recently, DER LVRT voltage support through reactive power regulation are becoming common. Designing LVRT voltage support is highly influenced by the accuracy of the modelling and the data needed. However, in some cases, the required modelling can challenge the computational complexity, effort, and required data. Nevertheless, modelling the systems through an oversimplification may result in inaccuracies and hypothetical solution. Thus, the best compromise between model accuracy and simplicity will alleviate the problem. The study presents a methodology for estimating the effectiveness of the support. Unlike the commonly computer‐assisted approach, such as the dynamic RMS simulation, the benefit of the methodology is on the computing process, which is much simpler since the dynamic DER modelling work is not needed, and the evaluation of the effectiveness can be achieved even when the grid information is incomplete. Its accuracy is validated against typical RMS simulation results obtained using PowerFactory DIgsilent software for well‐characterised networks.

Keywords

• Wind power plants
• Power and energy control
• Control of electric power systems
• Distributed power generation
• Power system control