Abstract
The challenges associated with incorporating a large amount of distributed generation (DG), including fuel cells, into a radial distribution feeder are examined using a dynamic MATLAB/SIMULINK™ model. Two generic distribution feeder models are used to investigate possible scenarios where voltage problems may occur. Modern inverter topologies make ancillary services, such as on-demand reactive power generation/consumption economical to include, which expands the design space across which DG can function in the distribution system. The simulation platform enables testing of the following local control goals: DG connected with unity power factor, DG and load connected with unity power factor, DG connected with local voltage regulation (LVR), and DG connected with real power curtailment. Both the LVR and curtailment strategies can regulate the voltage of the simple circuit case, but the circuit utilizing a substation with load drop compensation has no universal solution. Even DG with a penetration level around 10% of rated circuit power can cause overvoltage problems with load drop compensation. The real power curtailment control strategy creates the best overall circuit efficiency, while all other control strategies result in low light load efficiency at high DG penetrations. The lack of a universal solution implies that some degree of communication will be needed to reliably install a large amount of DG on a distribution circuit.
Highlights
New advancements in inverter-based decentralized electrical energy technologies, which include everything from plug-in electric vehicles, solar photovoltaic panels, to combined heat and powerCHPwith fuel cells and microturbine generators, have the potential to change the premises upon which electric power is generated, transmitted, distributed, and consumed1͔
The challenges associated with incorporating a large amount of distributed generation (DG), including fuel cells, into a radial distribution feeder are examined using a dynamic MATLAB/SIMULINKTM model
Modern inverter topologies make ancillary services, such as on-demand reactive power generation/consumption economical to include, which expands the design space across which DG can function in the distribution system
Summary
New advancements in inverter-based decentralized electrical energy technologies, which include everything from plug-in electric vehicles, solar photovoltaic panels, to combined heat and powerCHPwith fuel cells and microturbine generators, have the potential to change the premises upon which electric power is generated, transmitted, distributed, and consumed1͔. The IEEE 1547 standard for interconnecting distributed generationDGstates that the generator may neither actively regulate any voltage nor cause any voltage on the system to go beyond specified requirements5͔. This clause alone will limit the penetration of DG allowed in many existing distribution scenarios. The IEEE-1547 standard is developed as a guideline for this implementation5͔ This standard states that a DG installation may neither cause any voltage on the system to go outside of set limits, nor actively regulate the local voltage. To allow for transformer and secondary line losses, a study into this issue by GE, under contract by NREL, defines the acceptable per-unitp.u.͒ voltage at the distribution transformer primary as 0.98–1.05 p.u. ͓4͔ The per-unit value is the actual value normalized to a set base value, and is used here for both voltage and power
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