Abstract
The proliferation of photovoltaic (PV) can cause several operational problems in distribution systems. In this paper, comprehensive analytical expressions (CAEs) are proposed for maximizing the technical benefits of multiple PV units to distribution systems considering the uncertainty of PV generation and load profiles. Specifically, the proposed CAEs quantify and optimize the following five vital indices with multiple PV units: 1) active energy losses, 2) reactive losses, 3) voltage deviations, 4) line congestion margin, and 5) voltage stability index. The smart functions of the PV inverter (i.e., reactive power support and active power curtailment) are also incorporated in the CAEs, complying with the revised IEEE 1547:2018 standard. Further, various PV tracking options are considered, including fixed, one-axis, and two-axis trackers. Unlike existing approaches, the CAEs can simultaneously solve the optimal allocation problem of multiple PV units in a direct manner without needing optimization algorithms, iterative processes, or simplifying procedures. The calculated results reveal the high performance of the CAEs in terms of accuracy, flexibility and computational speed while providing further PV planning options. Moreover, CAEs are effectively utilized for two other applications with promising computational performance, i.e., rapid assessment of PV impacts with annual datasets and optimal centralized/decentralized inverter control.
Highlights
D RIVEN by environmental challenges and energy demand growth, electric utilities have followed ambitious strategies to ensure the optimal and secure operation of electrical power systems while utilizing renewable energy sources (RES)
We have proposed comprehensive analytical expressions (CAEs) to maximize the technical benefits of PV units to distribution systems
Another benefit of the proposed CAEs is the consideration of the smart functions of the PV inverter, including reactive power support and active power curtailment
Summary
D RIVEN by environmental challenges and energy demand growth, electric utilities have followed ambitious strategies to ensure the optimal and secure operation of electrical power systems while utilizing renewable energy sources (RES). In [34]–[38], different analytical based methods were introduced for solving the optimal PV allocation problem considering the rated conditions of the load demand and the allocated PV units, thereby ignoring intermittent generation and load profiles These analytical based methods adopt a single objective, such as power loss minimization [34]–[36], reactive power minimization [37], and voltage level improvement [38]. Besides the application of the proposed analytical expressions to the optimal allocation of multiple PV units, they are applied to other important applications in distribution systems interconnected to PVs with predefined capacities, thanks to their light computational burden These applications are the accurate assessment of PV impacts in a short time and proper control of existing PV units.
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