Abstract
Photovoltaic (PV) system inverters usually operate at unitary power factor, injecting only active power into the system. Recently, many studies have been done analyzing potential benefits of reactive power provisioning, such as voltage regulation, congestion mitigation and loss reduction. This article analyzes possibilities for loss reduction in a typical medium voltage distribution system. Losses in the system are compared to the losses in the PV inverters. Different load conditions and PV penetration levels are considered and for each scenario various active power generation by PV inverters are taken into account, together with allowable levels of reactive power provisioning. As far as loss reduction is considered, there is very small number of PV inverters operating conditions for which positive energy balance exists. For low and medium load levels, there is no practical possibility for loss reduction. For high loading levels and higher PV penetration specific reactive savings, due to reactive power provisioning, increase and become bigger than additional losses in PV inverters, but for a very limited range of power factors.
Highlights
When reactive power compensation in distribution systems is considered, almost exclusively, the case of inductive loading and compensation with capacitor banks is meant [1]
In medium voltage (MV) distribution systems, most of the reactive power compensation is done with classic technologies
When considering reactive power flow attributed to loads with power factor below unity, for loads uniformly distributed along the line, losses and specific reactive losses are given by the equations, respectively: 1 Sload 2
Summary
When reactive power compensation in distribution systems is considered, almost exclusively, the case of inductive loading and compensation with capacitor banks is meant [1]. Total network losses minimization of a low voltage distribution network, by optimal allocation of decentralized reactive power compensation is presented in Reference [8]. The authors explore in more detail whether is it possible to use PV inverters to compensate reactive power in systems with different loading conditions and PV integration share index This is done by comparing PV inverter losses with losses in MV distribution system alone. These additional opportunity costs for PV inverters operating at power factors less than unity is often neglected by researchers (e.g., in References [7,8,9]) This in turn could present a major obstacle for reactive power compensation by PV inverters for network losses reduction.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
