Voltage profile analysis at planning and operational stages with allowable PV hosting capacity

Abstract

Abstract High level of photovoltaic (PV) integration into the distribution network (DN) may have a negative impact in terms of voltage variations across the limits. As such thorough analysis is required to ensure voltage within limits, mainly at feeder‐end buses. In this study, the PV integration problem is addressed in a more comprehensive way, considering the unbalance DN, impedance characteristic, and interaction of load against available PV output. The approach applies to both the planning and operational stage in the assessment of allowable PV hosting capacity (HC). In the planning stage, the local impedance index is computed at constant load and power factor conditions. The entire network is partitioned into areas and the most suitable area for PV integration is determined, which can allow maximum PV integration, without/minimum voltage violations. In the operation stage for allowable PV hosting capacity, further voltage analysis is performed, wherein peakness of PV output and load conditions do not match each other. Towards, voltage regulation via PV inverter, the power factor profile is adjusted as a function of PV output. The study is demonstrated for transient solar radiation, with emphasis on maintaining the voltage at feeder‐end buses. The simulation is carried out on interfacing GridPV in MATLAB and OpenDSS toolbox. The proposed scheme for allowable HC and further voltage regulation in the network using PV inverter is also compared with those approaches, applying optimised and centralised placement of PVs.

Keywords

• photovoltaic power systems
• planning
• power distribution planning
• power system operation and planning