Hosting high PV penetration on distribution feeders with smart inverters providing local var compensation

Author(s)

Pato, Pedro A. V. ; Trindade, Fernanda C. L. ; Wang, Xiaoyu

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Electric Power Systems Research; v. 217, p. 10-pg., 2023-02-02.

Abstract

The massive and widespread rooftop photovoltaic penetration poses new challenges to Distribution System Operators who may need to deal with over and undervoltage problems in the same feeder. To tackle this issue, this work proposes to use the smart inverters from photovoltaic systems to compensate, in real-time, the exact amount of reactive power demanded by the customers to which they are connected. The proposed strategy does not require expensive and complex communication infrastructure, active power curtailment, or inverters oversizing. With a simple infrastructure, it decreases energy losses and the need for capacitor banks. Time-series power-flow simulations are performed in a real distribution system. The results indicate that the proposed strategy of var compensation mitigates more energy losses and voltage transgression than for the cases in which the smart inverters operate with unity power factor, Volt-Watt, or Volt-var control rules. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/10523-4 - Development of advanced network functions for future electric power distribution systems
• Grantee: Fernanda Caseño Trindade Arioli
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/11380-5 - CPTEn - São Paulo Center for the Study of Energy Transition
• Grantee: Luiz Carlos Pereira da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Science Centers for Development