Combined PV-PEV Hosting Capacity Analysis in Low-Voltage Distribution Networks

Abstract

The increasing penetration of low and zero carbon (LZC) technologies, such as residential-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems and plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) in low-voltage (LV) distribution networks, can become highly problematic for utilities if combined PV-PEV connections exceed the hosting capacity of such networks. This is due to technical impacts caused by such LZC technologies on voltage quality, such as voltage rise, voltage drop, voltage unbalance, and on assets loading (transformer and conductors). This paper proposes a stochastic approach based on Monte Carlo simulations to estimate combined PV-PEV hosting capacity in LV networks. In addition, the proposed approach can be used to assist utility engineers to undertake planning actions based on the potential risk of violation. From the results obtained by applying the proposed approach to a real Brazilian LV network, overvoltage and unbalance voltage issues are found to be the most limiting factors of combined PV-PEV connections. Further, it is shown that the combined PV-PEV penetration levels need to be considered to avoid under or overestimations of both PV and PEV hosting capacity.