Variable Power Factor DERs and Their Effect on Hosting Capacity

Abstract

This paper explores the possibility of an increase in Hosting Capacity on utility feeders with variable power factor DERs. Hosting capacity is the ability for a utility power distribution system (feeder) to connect renewable Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) to the grid. Hosting capacity has become a focus for utilities as many seek to implement more DERs for environmental and economic benefits. A feeder's hosting capacity is dependent on national regulatory standards for high and low voltage as well as other factors such as frequency variation and protective device limits. The recently updated IEEE 1547-2018 utility standards regarding DER interconnection highlights a requirement that all newly connected DERs shall be capable of varying their power factor to provide greater output control. A feeder was simulated in the OpenDSS power software and the effects of both standard and variable power factor DER was analyzed in low voltage and high voltage scenarios. The resulting data showed that high and low voltage was more effectively controlled with the variable power factor DER than with today's standard fixed power factor DER. Due to Hosting Capacity's heavy reliance on voltage stability, it can be inferred from the simulation results that the introduction of variable power factor DER shall have a positive effect on hosting capacity for utility feeders.