Abstract
The capacity of renewable distributed generation (DG) connected in distribution networks is increasing. Use of power electronic interfaces means DG can inject harmonic currents through the point of common coupling into upstream networks. The limits stipulated in harmonic emission standards may create challenges for accommodating DG. To explore the impact of harmonic regulations on the ability of distribution networks to host DG, this work incorporates harmonic voltage constraints into a network hosting capacity assessment. A novel hosting capacity assessment approach is presented, incorporating percentile-based harmonic compliance levels as chance constraints over multiple periods into AC optimal power flow. The case study shows that network hosting capacity for DG could be evidently lower under rigorous compliance with harmonic distortion limits, but that relaxation of the risk constraints has significant value. Furthermore, the complex inter-connectivity between DG sites means that voltage, thermal and harmonic constraints all influence the locational feasibility for DG capacity.
Highlights
Connecting renewable distributed generation (DG) to distribution networks requires compliance with a range of technical requirements, which are assessed by distribution network operators (DNOs) when a developer makes a connection request
Assessing hosting capacity using standard approaches could fail to identify the violations of stipulated harmonic limits and potentially suggest impractical levels of DG capacity
This study presents a generalised optimisation framework, which enables renewable hosting capacity assessment by simultaneously integrating limits for both harmonic and fundamental frequency voltages and currents
Summary
Connecting renewable distributed generation (DG) to distribution networks requires compliance with a range of technical requirements, which are assessed by distribution network operators (DNOs) when a developer makes a connection request. THD at buses 11 (WF1), 12 (WF3) and 10 clearly violate the planning level, with the most severe violation at bus 12 (WF3) This bus has high IHD at multiple individual harmonics, as shown, exceeding limits for 13 harmonic orders with the FIGURE 9 Harmonic voltage distortion for individual orders (IHD) at bus 12 under different optimal DG capacity results fifth, 33rd and 37th being the worst. This complex capacity‐releasing effect would be challenging to explore without an appropriate framework such as that presented here
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