Evaluating technical impacts on the expansion of distributed generation for smart grids

• Grant number: 21/04872-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: February 01, 2022 - January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Power Systems
• Principal Investigator: Denis Vinicius Coury
• Grantee: Denis Vinicius Coury
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Daniel Barbosa ; José Carlos de Melo Vieira Júnior ; Kleber Freire da Silva ; Mário Oleskovicz ; Renato José Pino de Araújo ; Ricardo Augusto Souza Fernandes

Abstract

The growth of distributed mini and microgenerations in power distribution systems requires reevaluation of planning and operating practices of these systems in order to maintain power quality indices and the efficiency of the distribution system itself. The first line of action for the distributed generation facility is to identify impacts and develop measures to mitigate possible negative effects. These impacts include the influence of distributed generation on nodal voltages, electrical losses due to voltage and current unbalance, and harmonic distortions. In addition to these factors, the impacts of distributed generation sources need to be evaluated concerning the protection of distribution grids. Within this context, the present research project aims to develop methods to analyze distributed generation applications and to propose modern solutions to deal with potential negative impacts, analyzing all the factors mentioned above and aligning them with the concept of smart grids. It is expected that the results will guide Utilities and owners of distributed generators in promoting the expansion of renewable sources, mitigating potential problems arising from the operation of these sources and harnessing them to improve the performance of distribution networks. (AU)