Design a System to Gain Optimum Solar Energy to Existing LV Distribution Transformer using Reactive Power Control Method in Sri Lankan PV Inverters

Abstract

As a result of the increase in demand for electricity, renewable energy solutions like Photovoltaic (PV) generation portfolios are beneficial to both utility and consumers. It provides clean and green energy with no harmful emissions to the environment. Although PV generation gives a solution for the energy problem, it might also have adverse effects. High penetration of PV can raise the feeder voltage level, especially in light load conditions. Active power curtailing methods are used today to maintain voltage regulation, and because of that, there is a limitation of connecting solar distribution generators within a specific feeder. Hence the Volt/Var control mechanism can be introduced to gain optimum solar energy from PV generation while reactive power is considered. In this paper, the current Low Voltage (LV) network with PV generators in a specific area is modelled and analyzed using the open-source simulation tools OpenDSS and Matlab. An MV (Medium Voltage)/ LV transformer and a three-phase feeder are used to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed simulation model considering several existing domestic consumers. In practice, Smart inverters have that reactive power enabling mode, and this research gives an idea which is how to compensate the reactive power absorption from the grid to the known desired value. This study aims to construct a program to develop a system to enable reactive power mode within the network of domestic PV users when needed. As a result, with this Volt/Var control of the inverter, more solar DG’s (Distribution Generators) can be connected to a feeder rather than the present situation.