scholarly journals Photovoltaic Power Converter Management in Unbalanced Low Voltage Networks with Ancillary Services Support

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fermín Barrero-González ◽  
Victor Pires ◽  
José Sousa ◽  
João Martins ◽  
María Milanés-Montero ◽  
...  

The proliferation of residential photovoltaic (PV) prosumers leads to detrimental impacts on the low-voltage (LV) distribution network operation such as reverse power flow, voltage fluctuations and voltage imbalances. This is due to the fact that the strategies for the PV inverters are usually designed to obtain the maximum energy from the panels. The most recent approach to these issues involves new inverter-based solutions. This paper proposes a novel comprehensive control strategy for the power electronic converters associated with PV installations to improve the operational performance of a four-wire LV distribution network. The objectives are to try to balance the currents demanded by consumers and to compensate the reactive power demanded by them at the expense of the remaining converters’ capacity. The strategy is implemented in each consumer installation, constituting a decentralized or distributed control and allowing its practical implementation based on local measurements. The algorithms were tested, in a yearly simulation horizon, on a typical Portuguese LV network to verify the impact of the high integration of the renewable energy sources in the network and the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed approach.

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 4028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abreu ◽  
Soares ◽  
Carvalho ◽  
Morais ◽  
Simão ◽  
...  

Challenges in the coordination between the transmission system operator (TSO) and the distribution system operator (DSO) have risen continuously with the integration of distributed energy resources (DER). These technologies have the possibility to provide reactive power support for system operators. Considering the Portuguese reactive power policy as an example of the regulatory framework, this paper proposes a methodology for proactive reactive power management of the DSO using the renewable energy sources (RES) considering forecast uncertainty available in the distribution system. The proposed method applies a stochastic sequential alternative current (AC)-optimal power flow (SOPF) that returns trustworthy solutions for the DSO and optimizes the use of reactive power between the DSO and DER. The method is validated using a 37-bus distribution network considering real data. Results proved that the method improves the reactive power management by taking advantage of the full capabilities of the DER and by reducing the injection of reactive power by the TSO in the distribution network and, therefore, reducing losses.


Inventions ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Ahmed F. Ebrahim ◽  
Ahmed A. Saad ◽  
Osama Mohammed

The fast development of the residential sector regarding the additional integration of renewable distributed energy sources and the modern expansion usage of essential DC electrical equipment may cause severe power quality problems. For example, the integration of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) may cause unbalance, and voltage fluctuation, which can add constraints for further PV integrations to the network, and the deployment of DC native loads with their nonlinear behavior adds harmonics to the network. This paper demonstrates the smart integration of a DC microgrid to the neighborhood low-voltage distribution network (NLVDN). The DC microgrid is connected to the NLVDN through a three-phase voltage source inverter (VSI), in which the VSI works as a distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM). Unlike previous STATCOM work in the literature, the proposed controller of the VSI of the DC smart building allows for many functions: (a) it enables bidirectional active/reactive power flow between the DC building and the AC grid at point of common coupling (PCC); (b) it compensates for the legacy unbalance in the distribution network, providing harmonics elimination and power factor correction capability at PCC; and (c) it provides voltage support at PCC. The proposed controller was validated by Matlab/Simulink and by experimental implementation at the lab.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5321
Author(s):  
Matej Tazky ◽  
Michal Regula ◽  
Alena Otcenasova

The main emphasis in the operation of an electricity system is placed on its safe and reliable operation. The flow of reactive power in a network can affect voltage conditions in individual nodes of the transmission system. In recent years, there have been changes in the network that have resulted in increased capacitive reactive power flows from lower voltage levels to higher ones. These flows can cause the voltage to rise above the limit. This paper examines recent changes in the reactive power transmission in the network, especially at lower voltage levels. The possible impact of these changes on the flow of capacitive reactive power at higher voltage levels is analyzed. This paper also presents a description and the simulated impact of power lines at different voltage levels on reactive power flows. Real measurements of different types of consumers at the low-voltage (LV) level are analyzed. Finally, a simulation model was created to simulate the impact of a customer’s power contribution to the reactive power flows from the point of view of a 110 kV voltage node. This node is characterized as a supply point.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvind Sharma ◽  
Mohan Kolhe ◽  
Alkistis Kontou ◽  
Dimitrios Lagos ◽  
Panos Kotsampopoulos

Abstract In this paper, solar photovoltaic hosting capacity within the electrical distribution network is estimated for different buses, and the impacts of high PV penetration are evaluated using power hardware-in-loop testing methods. It is observed that the considered operational constraints (i.e. voltage and loadings) and their operational limits have a significant impact on the hosting capacity results. However, with increasing photovoltaic penetration, some of the network buses reach maximum hosting capacity, which affects the network operation (e.g. bus voltages, line loading). The results show that even distributing the maximum hosting capacity among different buses can increase the bus voltage rise to 9%. To maintain the network bus voltages within acceptable limits, reactive power voltage-based droop control is implemented in the photovoltaic conditioning devices to test the dynamics of the network operation. The results show that implementation of the droop control technique can reduce the maximum voltage rise from 9% to 4% in the considered case. This paper also presents the impact of forming a mesh type network (i.e. from radial network) on the voltage profile during PV penetration, and a comparative analysis of the operational performance of a mesh type and radial type electrical network is performed. It is observed that the cumulative effect of forming a mesh type network along with a droop control strategy can further improve the voltage profile and contribute to increase photovoltaic penetration. The results are verified using an experimental setup of digital real-time simulator and power hardware-in-loop test methods. The results from this work will be useful for estimating the appropriate photovoltaic hosting capacity within a distribution network and implementation of a droop control strategy in power conditioning devices to maintain the network operational parameters within the specified limits. Highlights Voltage and line loading constraints’ combination can reduce PV hosting capacity by 50% as compared to only voltage as a constraint. Implementation of reactive power versus voltage droop control in PV power conditioning device can reduce voltage variation from 9% to 4%. In a PV integrated electrical energy network, line loading can be reduced by 20% if the network is configured from radial to mesh type.


2014 ◽  
Vol 986-987 ◽  
pp. 377-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Min Gao ◽  
Jian Min Zhang ◽  
Chen Xi Wu

Heuristic methods by first order sensitivity analysis are often used to determine location of capacitors of distribution power system. The selected nodes by first order sensitivity analysis often have virtual high by first order sensitivities, which could not obtain the optimal results. This paper presents an effective method to optimally determine the location and capacities of capacitors of distribution systems, based on an innovative approach by the second order sensitivity analysis and hierarchical clustering. The approach determines the location by the second order sensitivity analysis. Comparing with the traditional method, the new method considers the nonlinear factor of power flow equation and the impact of the latter selected compensation nodes on the previously selected compensation location. This method is tested on a 28-bus distribution system. Digital simulation results show that the reactive power optimization plan with the proposed method is more economic while maintaining the same level of effectiveness.


Author(s):  
Himanshu Kumar Singh ◽  
S.C. Srivastava ◽  
Ashwani Kumar Sharma

One of the most important tasks of System Operator (SO) is to manage congestion as it threatens system security and may cause rise in electricity price resulting in market inefficiency. In corrective action congestion management schemes, it is crucial for SO to select the most sensitive generators to re-schedule their real and reactive powers and the loads to curtail in extreme congestion management. This paper proposed the selection of most sensitive generators and loads to re-schedule their generation and load curtailment based on the improved line flow sensitivity indices to manage congestion. The impact of slack bus on power flow sensitivity factors has been determined to encourage fair competition in the electricity markets. Effect of bilateral and multilateral transactions, and impact of multi-line congestion on congestion cost has also been studied. The generators’ reactive power bid has been modeled by a continuous differentiable tangent hyperbolic function. The proposed concept of congestion management has been tested on a practical 75-bus Indian system and IEEE-118-bus test system.


2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 43-53
Author(s):  
G. Klāvs ◽  
A. Kundziņa ◽  
I. Kudrenickis

Abstract Use of renewable energy sources (RES) might be one of the key factors for the triple win-win: improving energy supply security, promoting local economic development, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The authors ex-post evaluate the impact of two main support instruments applied in 2010-2014 – the investment support (IS) and the feed-in tariff (FIT) – on the economic viability of small scale (up to 2MWel) biogas unit. The results indicate that the electricity production cost in biogas utility roughly corresponds to the historical FIT regarding electricity production using RES. However, if in addition to the FIT the IS is provided, the analysis shows that the practice of combining both the above-mentioned instruments is not optimal because too high total support (overcompensation) is provided for a biogas utility developer. In a long-term perspective, the latter gives wrong signals for investments in new technologies and also creates unequal competition in the RES electricity market. To provide optimal biogas utilisation, it is necessary to consider several options. Both on-site production of electricity and upgrading to biomethane for use in a low pressure gas distribution network are simulated by the cost estimation model. The authors’ estimates show that upgrading for use in a gas distribution network should be particularly considered taking into account the already existing infrastructure and technologies. This option requires lower support compared to support for electricity production in small-scale biogas utilities.


Electronics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abu-Siada ◽  
Jad Budiri ◽  
Ahmed Abdou

With the global trend to produce clean electrical energy, the penetration of renewable energy sources in existing electricity infrastructure is expected to increase significantly within the next few years. The solid state transformer (SST) is expected to play an essential role in future smart grid topologies. Unlike traditional magnetic transformer, SST is flexible enough to be of modular construction, enabling bi-directional power flow and can be employed for AC and DC grids. Moreover, SSTs can control the voltage level and modulate both active and reactive power at the point of common coupling without the need to external flexible AC transmission system device as per the current practice in conventional electricity grids. The rapid advancement in power semiconductors switching speed and power handling capacity will soon allow for the commercialisation of grid-rated SSTs. This paper is aimed at introducing a state-of-the-art review for SST proposed topologies, controllers, and applications. Additionally, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis along with a brief review of market drivers for prospective commercialisation are elaborated.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 412-418
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Wrzalik ◽  
Matevž Obrecht

AbstractIn recent years heating in Poland has been transformed as a result of the priorities of the country's energy policy implemented within the European Union. The increase in energy security, the development of renewable energy sources and the fulfilment of legal and environmental requirements are very important. Exploitation of district heating systems should ensure reliable and safe heat supplies for industrial and municipal customers with high energy efficiency and reduction of environmental impact. The article discusses the conditions and directions of centralized heating systems development as well as technical and economic issues, which are important for the security of heat supply. The Author describes selected technological innovations used in the technical infrastructure for heat transfer and modern IT systems which are improving the management of heating systems. The article includes the results of simulation research with use of IT tools showing the impact of selected innovations on the improvement of network operation conditions. Directions of modernization of heating systems in the aspect of increasing energy efficiency and security of heat supply have also been indicted here.


Electronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva González-Romera ◽  
Enrique Romero-Cadaval ◽  
Carlos Roncero-Clemente ◽  
Mercedes Ruiz-Cortés ◽  
Fermín Barrero-González ◽  
...  

It is usual in literature that power sharing among grid-forming sources of an isolated microgrid obeys their energy rating, instead of economic agreements between stakeholders, and circulating energy among them is usually avoided. However, these energy interchanges make strong sense and classical power sharing methods must be reformulated in the context of prosumer-based microgrids. This paper proposes a secondary control method for a prosumer-based low-voltage nanogrid that allows for energy interchange between prosumers, where storage systems, together with PV generators, are the controllable grid-forming sources. A power flow technique adapted to islanded microgrids is used for secondary control algorithm and the whole hierarchical control strategy for the prosumer converter is simulated and validated. This hierarchical control consists of three stages: tertiary control plans the energy interchange among prosumers, secondary obtains different voltage and power setpoints for each of the grid-forming sources, and, finally, primary control guarantees stable voltage and frequency values within the nanogrid with droop rules. Inner control loops for the power converter are also defined to track setpoints and assure stable performance. Simulation tests are carried out, which prove the stability of the proposed methods and the accuracy of the setpoint tracking.


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