Integration of Solar Photovoltaic Systems into Power Networks: A Scientific Evolution Analysis

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have drawn significant attention over the last decade. One of the most critical obstacles that must be overcome is distributed energy generation. This paper presents a comprehensive quantitative bibliometric study to identify the new trends and call attention to the evolution within the research landscape concerning the integration of solar PV in power networks. The research is based on 7146 documents that were authored between 2000–2021 and downloaded from the Web of Science database. Using an in-house bibliometric tool, Bibliometrix R-package, and the open-source tool VOSviewer we obtained bibliometric indicators, mapped the network analysis, and performed a multivariate statistical analysis. The works that were based on solar photovoltaics into power networks presented rapid growth, especially in India. The co-occurrence analysis showed that the five main clusters, classified according to dimensions and significance, are (i) power quality issues that are caused by the solar photovoltaic penetration in power networks; (ii) algorithms for energy storage, demand response, and energy management in the smart grid; (iii) optimization, techno-economic analysis, sensitivity analysis, and energy cost analysis for an optimal hybrid power system; (iv) renewable energy integration, self-consumption, energy efficiency, and sustainable development; and (v) modeling, simulation, and control of battery energy storage systems. The results revealed that researchers pay close attention to “renewable energy”, “microgrid”, “energy storage”, “optimization”, and “smart grid”, as the top five keywords in the past four years. The results also suggested that (i) power quality; (ii) voltage and frequency fluctuation problems; (iii) optimal design and energy management; and (iv) technical-economic analysis, are the most recent investigative foci that might be appraised as having the most budding research prospects.

Optimal Scheduling of Hybrid Sustainable Energy Microgrid: A Case Study for a Resort in Sokhna, Egypt

“…Thus, the whole NPC is computed by adding the whole discounted cash flows in each year for the whole lifetime of the project. To calculate the NPC, the following equation was used [38][39][40][41][42]:…”

“…In this case, the system depends only on renewables (PV and wind), in addition to diesel to meet the load demand. This is the only solution to be considered if there is no direct link to the network [40][41][42] or the network is very far from the resort, or some additional substations that must be set up near the area, which is very costly. The optimal mix architecture of the winning system consists of 44.2 kW PV, 10 kW wind turbine, and 47 kW diesel engines.…”

A Comparative Examination of the Electricity Saving Potentials of Direct Residential PV Energy Use in European Countries

“…The efficiency of PV systems can be enhanced even further by connecting them to the grid, which is presently the most prevalent method of solar PV deployment [19]. Since such installations offer a long-term reduction in expenses coupled with a high level of reliability, little need for maintenance, and huge potentials for technological advancement [20], the spread of grid-connected PV systems has been unprecedented around the world [10,21]. These systems are normally available in a wide variety of capacities ranging from a couple of hundred watts with a solitary module to many megawatts in enormous, ground-mounted power plants.…”

“…For all these reasons, integrating RES into various electricity systems is bound to pose a multitude of issues, which is further exacerbated by the growing number of grid-connected PV systems within the medium voltage network, leading to more and more difficulties related to reliability and stability [31][32][33]. Other negative consequences may include the increased presence of harmonics in the systems, resulting in a rise in the amount of total harmonic distortion (THD) [21], and the occurrence of reverse power flow when the PV power supply is greater than the demand [34]. The latter may cause instabilities in the network, such as fluctuations in voltage level and frequency due to more electricity flowing to the transmission system from the distribution.…”

“…The latter may cause instabilities in the network, such as fluctuations in voltage level and frequency due to more electricity flowing to the transmission system from the distribution. From all these, it follows naturally that the rising number of PV installations [35,36] will make new integrated control strategies indispensable for the management and operation of new electricity networks [21].…”