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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Evaluation of the Reactive Power Support Capability and Associated Technical Costs of Photovoltaic Farms' Operation

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Author(s):
Lourenco, Luis F. N. [1, 2] ; Monaro, Renato M. [1] ; Salles, Mauricio B. C. [1] ; Cardoso, Jose R. [1] ; Queval, Loic [3]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Politecn, Lab Adv Elect Grids LGRID, BR-05508010 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Av Prof Luciano Gualberto 158, BR-05508900 Butanta, SP - Brazil
[3] Sorbonne Univ, Univ Paris Saclay, Univ Paris Sud, CNRS, Cent Supelec, Grp Elect Engn Paris GeePs, UMR, 3 & 11 Rue Joliot Curie, F-91192 Gif Sur Yvette - France
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: ENERGIES; v. 11, n. 6 JUN 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

The share of photovoltaic (PV) farms is increasing in the energy mix as power systems move away from conventional carbon-emitting sources. PV farms are equipped with an expensive power converter, which is, most of the time, used well bellow its rated capacity. This has led to proposals to use it to provide reactive power support to the grid. In this framework, this work presents a step-by-step methodology to obtain the reactive power support capability map and the associated technical costs of single- and two-stage PV farms during daytime operation. Results show that the use of two-stage PV farms can expand the reactive power support capability for low irradiance values in comparison to single-stage ones. Besides, despite losses being higher for two-stage PV farms, the technical cost in providing reactive power support is similar for both systems. Based on the obtained maps, it is demonstrated how the profits of a PV farm can be evaluated for the current ancillary services policy in Brazil. The proposed method is of interest to PV farm owners and grid operators to estimate the cost of providing reactive power support and to evaluate the economic feasibility in offering this ancillary service. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 14/05261-0 - Integration of intermittent wind energy in power systems using battery energy storage systems
Grantee:Mauricio Barbosa de Camargo Salles
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research