Integrated voltage regulation in distribution grids with photovoltaic distribution generation assisted by telecommunication infrastructure

Abstract

Massive penetration of Distributed Generation Photovoltaic Systems – DGPV – connected to the power distribution grid through electronic inverters can contribute, in an aggregate scenario, to the performance of several power system control functions, notably in voltage regulation along a distribution feeder. In this context, the supervision and control of these generating units through a standardized, flexible and capillary communication infrastructure becomes a key factor in enabling large-scale integration. Present voltage regulation methods adopted in distribution grids using DGPV units are based on the local interaction of each source with the power grid, without exploiting the potential benefits of a wide integration among them. This paper proposes the use of an optimization method for voltage regulation, focused on reactive power injection control, based on a communication architecture model that coordinates the interaction among the inverters of DGPV units. This architecture enables each distributed source to perform in accordance with its operational characteristics and location, while dynamically coordinated by a DGMS (Distributed Generation Management System). The proposed communication infrastructure is based on the connectivity and interoperability requirements established by the international standard IEC 61850 and the IEEE 2030 reference model. A sensitivity analysis regarding the performance of voltage regulation and communication infrastructure, based on a co-simulation of PSCAD and MatLab, shows the effectiveness of the proposed optimization method. This work analyses the impact of communication network delay and unavailability in voltage regulation process.