Reactive Power Management in Radial Distribution Grid Connected Photovoltaic System

Abstract

The penetration of photovoltaic (PV) system as distributed generation in radial distribution network is increasing in each year. High PV penetration in radial distribution network can lead to overvoltage. Overvoltage can be overcome by having reactive power control in PV. However, the presence of reactive power flow leads to increasing of grid losses. In this study, the proper method to overcome overvoltage and produce minimum losses is conducted. In this study, three reactive power control method would be implemented, namely constant power factor, adjustable power factor and voltage reactive power. By using quasi dynamic load flow simulation in DIgSILENT Power Factory, it is obtained that voltage reactive power method can reduce overvoltage better and produce fewer increasing rate of system losses for approximately 2.228% and 5.613% respectively than other method.