PV hosting capacity of LV distribution networks using smart inverters and storage systems: a practical margin

Abstract

This study proposes an approach to evaluate a practical margin for photovoltaic (PV) generation hosting capacity (HC) of low voltage distribution networks. This HC is determined considering the randomness of the connection points and is supposed to be the maximum value of PV penetration up to which the utility can authorise any interconnection without performing additional case studies. Smart inverter control strategies and battery storage systems are used to avoid costly network expansion solutions. The simulations are performed using actual solar radiation data and residential demand profiles. The results show an increase in the network HC, bringing benefits by deferring network investments such as conductors and asset upgrades.

Optimal Smart Inverter Control for PV and BESS to Improve PV Hosting Capacity of Distribution Networks Using Slime Mould Algorithm

“…In addition, P Grid and Q Grid are the active and reactive power of the grid at the slack bus, respectively; Q P Vi and Q BESSi are the reactive power from the PV and BESS smart inverters at bus i and time t, respectively; P Di and Q Di are the active and reactive power of demand at bus i and time t, respectively; Y ij is the element of the Y-bus matrix; θ ij is the impedance angle of the line between bus i and j; and δ j and δ i are the voltage angles at buses j and i, respectively. Equation (18) indicates that the voltage at each node must be within the minimum voltage (V min ) and maximum voltage (V max ) limit. The limit of the current carrying capacity (ampacity) of the line between buses i and j is given in (19).…”

“…In [17], a probabilistic method for hosting a high PV penetration in a distribution network using optimal oversized smart inverters with Watt/VAr functions was studied. In [18], smart inverter control strategies and a BESS were used to assess the practical margin PVHC. However, the effect of reactive power control of the smart inverter for a BESS on the PVHC of the distribution network was not considered with this method.…”

Techno-Economic Assessment of Grid-Level Battery Energy Storage Supporting Distributed Photovoltaic Power

“…The control strategies are: (i) specified fixed or constant power factor; and (ii) Volt-Var control. Both control strategies are common in commercially available smart PV inverters [28], [31]. Through the variation of the reactive power output, the PV inverters can help regulate locally the voltage profile and mitigate the sudden voltage variations derived from the PV generation.…”

“…In this mode, real power could be curtailed to facilitate dispatch of reactive energy. Volt-Var control belongs to the category of smart-control for PV inverters and can benefit the network characteristics and extend the hosting capacity (HC) [28]. The Volt-Var control is defined mathematically by Eq.…”

“…Singlephase PV inverters were shown to improve the voltage profiles of LV distribution networks through the use of reactive power control [27]. Similarly, [28] analysed the effect of smart inverter control algorithms and decentralised behindthe-meter BESS in PV hosting capacity and showed how BESS can further enhance PV penetration when combined with these methods. To that end, the effect that smart inverters deployment can have in grid assets, such as centralised BESS, should be investigated when considering PV integration.…”