Abstract-Low voltage distribution feeders are designed for unidirectional energy supply from transformer to consumer. However, the implementation of small-scale PV production units on local utilities may result in bidirectional energy flows. The simultaneous power injection at sunny moments may cause a serious voltage rise along the feeder. These overvoltages may not only damage critical loads but also switches PV inverters off causing loss of green energy at the most productive moments. This paper presents a method to limit the voltage rise by introducing small battery buffers at local production sites. A smart inverter decides whether the PV energy is injected in the grid or buffered in the batteries. The relation between battery buffer size and overvoltage reduction is presented for a typical Belgian residential distribution feeder. The influence of the buffer along the feeder is calculated by working with synthetic load profiles and solar irradiation data.

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Abstract. The number of installed distributed generation (DG) in residential areas rapidly increases, specifically in the form of photovoltaics (PV), causing some undesired side effects such as voltage rise. Overvoltage can damage critical loads, but is also disadvantageous for the owner because inverters switch off in case of overvoltage, resulting in output loss. Voltage limits are investigated through calculation and simulation of the voltage profile in a typical low voltage (LV) grid by using load data. Insolation data is used for the particular case of PV. This paper presents practical guidelines for the maximum power acceptance in a residential distribution network and the estimation of PV production loss due to overvoltage.

The rapidly growing amount of distributed generation in low voltage distribution grids issues some undesired side effects. Simultaneous power injection may cause a serious voltage rise along the feeder. These overvoltages may not only damage critical loads but also switch off PV inverters causing loss of green energy at the most productive moments. This paper discusses the origin and different possibilities to limit this induced voltage rise. The option of introducing local energy buffering is further elaborated. The relation between buffer size and overvoltage reduction is presented for a typical Belgian residential distribution feeder. The influence of buffers along the feeder is calculated by working with synthetic load profiles and solar irradiation data

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