Analytical formulation for analyzing the impacts of photovoltaic generators connected to power distribution system

• Grant number: 13/11053-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Power Systems
• Principal researcher: José Carlos de Melo Vieira Júnior
• Grantee: Bruno de Freitas Romanholi
• Home Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Distributed generation has been increasing significantly in several countries due to some facts, such as power systems de-regulamentation, and massive incentives to renewable and alternative power sources. In this context, photovoltaic generation has been gaining a lot of momentum, since the important incentives that this type of resource has been receiving worldwide. Thus, the number of photovoltaic sources connected to power distribution systems is expected to increase, mainly in Brazil. However, the connection of distributed generation may cause technical impacts in the distribution grid that deserve to be analyzed in detail, such as steady-state voltage profile, power losses, short circuit level etc. Therefore, utilities need reliable tools to assess the impact of distributed generators in their systems. Aiming at contributing on this issue, this research project proposes the development of an analytical formulation to provide a fast but reliable analysis of the photovoltaic generation impacts on distribution networks. One of the main characteristics of this formulation is to consider different generator control modes: constant active and reactive, constant current, and constant active power and voltage control modes. This approach is expected to provide reliable results regarding distributed generation impacts on steady-state voltage variation, and voltage fluctuation caused by the shadowing of photovoltaic panels.