Impacts of Low-Voltage Distribution Grid Codes on Ancillary Services and Anti-Islanding Detection of Inverter-Based Generation

Abstract

The capacity to provide ancillary services has become more and more important for generators in the distribution grid. New grid codes have been implemented which regulate inverter behavior regarding different aspects of system safety and stability. This mainly includes the frequency-dependent power reduction or the allocation of reactive power. These standards affect mains monitoring because the power control directly changes penetration after the generator has islanded. In this paper, equations for active and reactive power balance are set up and developed further. Non-Detection Zones for different control methods are shown. These are then described and interpreted in detail to show how different effects that result from grid codes interfere with one another. Frequency-dependent power reduction was found to change the size and shape of the Non-Detection Zones. Reactive power control results in a shift of the Non-Detection Zones. In fact, even the initial operating point before loss of mains has an impact on inverter behavior after islanding. Islanding operating points are sometimes undefined which leads to oscillation. An interpretation of the results and advice for future revisions of grid codes conclude the paper.