Abstract
This paper evaluates the technical aspects of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems and distributed energy resources (DERs) interconnection grid codes. The advanced functions of smart PV inverters and smart grid solutions are discussed as well as the gaps of the existing grid codes that hinder DER ancillary services. An online survey targeted the key stakeholders and industry experts have been conducted to investigate advanced inverters potential of providing DER ancillary services to distribution grids. The survey results are discussed in details and recommendations for the reactive power support of DER inverters and DER interconnection codes enhancements are presented. Keywords: Distributed Energy Sources, Distributed Energy Resource Interconnection Grid Codes, Distributed Energy Resource Ancillary Services, Distributed Energy Resource Integration, Advanced Inverters Capabilities, Volt/Var Control JEL Classifications: P48, Q42, Q48 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.8758
Highlights
In the UAE, the use of clean energy sources and low-carbon electrification are receiving increasing attention
Alobeidli and Moursi compared different coordinated volt/var control strategies using conventional methods like on on-load tap changers (OLTCs) and inverter-based control. They reported that inverter-based strategy could improve feeder voltage profile and maximize reactive power reserve up to 80% (Alobeidli and Moursi, 2014). It has been proven in the literature that advanced smart inverter functions and volt/var control are cost-effective strategies to improve PV hosting capacity of distribution feeders and help to mitigate adverse voltage impact compared to the conventional voltage regulation methods through OLTC which are more costly and have a slower response compared to smart inverters
The survey results revealed that advanced smart inverter functions and smart grid integration are strategies to improve PV hosting capacity of distribution feeders and help to mitigate adverse voltage impact compared to the conventional voltage regulation methods through transformer’s OLTC which are more costly and have a slower response compared to smart inverters
Summary
In the UAE, the use of clean energy sources and low-carbon electrification are receiving increasing attention. The target set to diversify the energy mix, is that clean energy will reach 25% of Dubai’s total energy share by 2030 (Dubai Carbon, 2017). Dubai’s solar roof-top photovoltaic (PV) programme called “Shams Dubai” was launched in 2015 to encourage household and building owners to install PV panels for electricity to feed their own loads and export the surplus to the utility grid. In 2 years, more than 1354 buildings have already installed PV panels on their roofs and generated a total capacity of 125 Megawatts (DEWA Shams Dubai, 2019). The “Interconnection code” refers to the set of rules and regulations that utilities, PV project developers and facility owners must follow when connecting inverter-based distributed energy resources (DER) to the grid. The interconnection grid codes in general focus on the electrical behaviour of the inverters and how they should interoperate with the existing utility systems (Basso, 2014)
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