Impact of Distributed Generation on voltage profile and power losses in a test power grid

Abstract

Currently, major technical challenges linked to the implementation strategy of Distributed Generation (DG) are associated with new studies and researches regarding the impact of renewable energy sources on the parameters of power transmission and distribution networks. To increase the energy efficiency and to reduce the power losses in power distribution networks, specific measures are proposed: increasing the voltage of operation, introduction of control systems, reconfiguration of power networks, energy demand management, etc. Knowing that the impact of DG on power losses is cardinal to substantiate methods of structural improvements in planning distribution networks. In this paper the influence of DG on the low-voltage networks is analyzed, using the facilities offered by the NEPLAN software. Power losses analysis is done on a low voltage test grid of 17 nodes in the cases when a DG unit is connected in the node having the lowest voltage, and in the loading center of consumption. The proposed solution, placing the renewable source in the loading center of consumption, reduces energy losses by up to 57 %. The results and conclusions of this analysis could be extended to any low-voltage radial power distribution network.