Abstract
The increasing penetration of Photovoltaic (PV) generation results in challenges regarding network operation, management and planning. Correspondingly, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are in the need of totally new understanding. The establishment of comprehensive standards for maximum PV integration into the network, without adversely impacting the normal operating conditions, is also needed. This review article provides an extensive review of the Hosting Capacity (HC) definitions based on different references and estimated HC with actual figures in different geographical areas and network conditions. Moreover, a comprehensive review of limiting factors and improvement methods for HC is presented along with voltage rise limits of different countries under PV integration. Peak load is the major reference used for HC definition and the prime limiting constraint for PV HC is the voltage violations. However, the varying definitions in different references lead to the conclusion that, neither the reference values nor the limiting factors are unique values and HC can alter depending on the reference, network conditions, topology, location, and PV deployment scenario.
Highlights
European Energy Regulators and network operators characterized the hosting capacity (HC) as a quantification means of the future energy network performance [1]
The traditional distribution networks can accommodate some PV penetration even though they are designed for heavy loads with no PV integration
The HC value of the network without any control strategy is of prime importance in investigating the current capacity and appropriate improvement
Summary
European Energy Regulators and network operators characterized the hosting capacity (HC) as a quantification means of the future energy network performance [1]. The Low Voltage (LV) networks have been facing operational issues such as overvoltage and unbalance due to increased rooftop solar PV integration. The authors noticed that the large-scale (MW) PV deployment results in a higher value of most conservative minimum HC of 69% of peak load (8 MW) as compared to 63% in small-scale (residential/commercial) deployment. The PV deployment as small-scale and large-scale is described as the random placement of PV at the customers’ premises and interconnection behind the step-up transformers at primary nodes, respectively. The former considered the customer’s peak load for sizing PV and the latter assumed
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