Technical impacts caused by the connection of generators to low voltage distribution networks

• Grant number: 12/07488-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: June 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Power Systems
• Principal Investigator: Walmir de Freitas Filho
• Grantee: Thiago Sonnewend Diniz Ferreira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação (FEEC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/01690-2 - Technological development for protection, analysis, supervision and automation of electrical power systems of the future, AP.TEM

Abstract

The impacts caused by the connection of three-phase, medium size generators (e 1 MVA) directly to primary distribution networks (e 10 kV) have been intensively investigated in the last 10 years. Consequently, practices of analysis, operation, and protection are relatively well defined and accepted. However, with the publication of the Technical Note 0043/2010-RD/ANEEL and other actions, one can see that the Brazilian government wants to incentive the usage of distributed generation-based renewable energy (mainly photovoltaic panels) in low voltage distribution networks (d 220 V). Such facts lead to a new scenario different from the previous one investigated in the last 10 years, demanding new analysis. Therefore, in this project the objective is to determine the main impacts caused by the installation of single-phase, small-size generators (< 500 kVA) into low voltage distribution networks (d 220 V). The impacts to be analyzed are voltage profile, voltage unbalance, overload, short-circuit currents, and harmonic distortion.(AU)