Analysis of the feasibility of connection of Distributed Generation, Operation and Control in Distribution Networks

• Grant number: 23/17868-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Power Systems
• Principal Investigator: Joao Bosco Augusto London Junior
• Grantee: Cristhian Gabriel da Rosa de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The electricity sector has undergone numerous transformations in recent decades, both with increasing digitalization and the emergence of new players. In the distribution networks (DERs), there has been a significant increase in the number of prosumers, i.e. consumers who are simultaneously energy producers. This new reality changes paradigms in the sector and brings a series of new design, operational and regulatory challenges. These include the intermittent production of energy by prosumers, mostly through photovoltaic (PV) arrangements, and the mismatch between generation and consumption peaks, which can generate reverse power flow in the lines. These characteristics have a direct impact on the planning and operation of DERs, requiring new analysis methodologies.The occurrence of reverse flow, coupled with increasing magnitudes of power injected into the lines, can lead to problems related to line and transformer overloads, overvoltages, protection problems, among others. Therefore, in order to meet the operational and regulatory limits, new control methodologies must be explored, including the reactive support provided by the inverters of the PV arrangements, by means of intelligent inverter functions. Not only that, but the maximum energy that can be produced by the generators must be assessed so as not to violate the operational and regulatory limits, defining the so-called Maximum Hosting Capacity. Although the points mentioned have been addressed in the scientific literature, they typically deal with isolated aspects of the problem and lack a generalized analysis approach. We therefore propose the development of a methodology for evaluating the impact of connecting distributed generation to DERs, as well as the modeling and analysis of voltage control by intelligent inverter functions, considering realistic aspects of the problem, aiding in the planning and operation of DERs.