Tariff structure for regulation of reactive power and harmonics in prosumer-enabled low voltage distribution networks

Abstract

The exponential growth of renewable energy generation, electronic loads, and electromobility in active distribution networks has severe consequences on the network's power quality (PQ) and economic impacts on the utility. The conventional active energy tariff for low-voltage (LV) consumers do not consider the cost associated with the PQ parameters, specifically, power factor and harmonic distortion. Besides, there is no standard tariff structure in practice for PQ regulation in the prosumer-enabled LV distribution network. This paper proposes a tariff scheme for LV customers (consumers or prosumers) aiming to regulate their reactive power and harmonic injection. The proposed tariff scheme allows customers to participate in network voltage profile improvement for the benefit of both utility and customers. Further, we propose a technique to evaluate the individual contribution of consumers, prosumers, and utility to harmonic pollution at PCC, which is crucial in finding harmonic penalties. The proposed tariff scheme is validated on a modified CIGRE LV radial active distribution network with diverse loads. Finally, the tariff scheme is evaluated on a laboratory-scale system comprising a three-phase consumer with diverse loads and a variable supply. The results elucidate that the tariff scheme is realistic and appropriately penalizes/incentivizes the consumers and prosumers according to their reactive and harmonic profiles.