Impact Assessment of Active Network Management Schemes on DG Capacity of Distribution Systems

Abstract

The transition from fossil fuel-based generation toward renewable-based distributed generation (DG) has motivated system operators to determine the maximum DG capacity that can be safely accommodated in distribution systems. Active network management (ANM) schemes can mitigate the technical issues arising from high DG penetration and, therefore, increase DG capacity in a distribution network. This paper develops an optimal power flow (OPF)-based DG capacity assessment approach that respects the local standard ANM schemes, particularly to control the grid-connected inverters. First, we investigate the effectiveness of different standard local ANM schemes on improving the DG capacity of distribution systems. We then compare them with the central approach that assumes a live, two-way communication infrastructure as an upper limit benchmark for the DG capacity. We use the proposed model to obtain the DG capacity of the three-phase IEEE 37-node and IEEE 906-node networks in the presence of different local and central ANM schemes. Our simulations show that real power based local control strategies are more effective than their reactive power based counterparts in improving the DG capacity of both networks. Additionally, in the voltage-constrained test system IEEE 906-node, the central approach enhances the network's DG capacity at least 25 % more than local approaches.