An analytic hierarchy process-based novel approach for benchmarking the power quality performance of grid-integrated renewable energy systems

Abstract

The technical, social, economic as well as environmental multi-benefits of renewable energy sources do not come without certain power quality (PQ) challenges, and deterioration of voltage and current quality is foremost among them. Technically, voltage harmonic distortion, current harmonic distortion, voltage and frequency fluctuations and voltage imbalances are the five decisive issues that judge the PQ performance of renewable energy systems. Healthy PQ, in terms of all the aforementioned phenomena, is assured by monitoring and benchmarking their corresponding indices, but performing the same, only at distributed generation (DG) bus level, is not sufficient since also the grid, as well as load bus PQ, plays an important role which makes the overall PQ assessment of renewable energy systems quite complex. This paper presents an analytic hierarchy process-based novel approach for evaluating and benchmarking the PQ performance of grid-integrated renewable energy systems. The procedure results in a single compound power quality index that is alone ample for benchmarking the overall PQ performance of a renewable energy system above the threshold level as well as for ranking among the PQ performances of individual DG systems differentiated by either renewable energy types or sittings in a distribution network. Such a compound index can ease the PQ performance evaluation and benchmarking process up to a maximum extent. Furthermore, it can be very helpful also for distribution system operators to monitor and penalize the DG owners for poorly operating from PQ aspects and motivate the same for adopting best option among different power quality improvement (PQI) technologies. The proposed approach is verified on a grid-integrated PV-based DG system in MATLAB/Simulink. Besides that, the effect of different PQI techniques, on PQ performance, is tested by the application of the proposed approach. At last, the validation of impending effects of high penetration of renewable energy on PQ of the system is also attempted by the proposed approach.

Power Quality Assessment of Distorted Distribution Networks Incorporating Renewable Distributed Generation Systems Based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process

“…In [31] authors have applied AHP for formulating a compound index to be used for assessing the overall PQ performance of DG system integrated with a two bus distribution system. However, if the power network is large and multiple DGs are incorporated then also the procedure results in a set of distinct indexes by considering the Thevenin's equivalents.…”

“…However, if the power network is large and multiple DGs are incorporated then also the procedure results in a set of distinct indexes by considering the Thevenin's equivalents. Nevertheless, in a large distribution network, the approach proposed in [31] suffers from issues such as computation and assessment complexities.…”

A Lyapunov-Function Based Controller for 3-Phase Shunt Active Power Filter and Performance Assessment Considering Different System Scenarios

“…The topological schematic of a three-phase SAPF is depicted in Fig. 2 [38]. It is a voltage source converter that consists of three legs.…”

A single index for voltage quality ranking in the distribution power networks using multiple criteria decision‐making

“…The AHP, established by Thomas Saaty (1980), is a valued source for handling with complicated decision‐making and may assist the decision‐maker to set priorities and make the supreme decision 24,25 . AHP is a well‐organized tool that can assist the decision‐makers to opt for the best alternative when the total number of alternatives are very large in number 26‐28 .…”