Voltage estimation in smart distribution networks with multiple DG systems

Abstract

Steady state voltage rise problem resulting from the integration of DGs at lower voltage levels can be a major impediment to the growth of distributed generation capacity. With the steady implementation of the smart grid technologies throughout the existing distribution networks, the online voltage control can be achieved. The voltage profile has to be estimated first along the distribution networks for the online voltage control. In this article, a technique to estimate the voltage profile of a radial distribution network with multiple DG systems having different line section impedances with/without laterals is presented. The presented technique is based on estimation of voltages by remote terminal units (RTUs) placed at each DG and at each line capacitor. The presented technique tested on two radial rural distribution systems with/without laterals. Comparative results for different methodologies in estimating the voltage profile are presented. The simulated results using the above method are presented in this paper, considering the multiple DG systems with/without laterals. The reported results show that the method presented is capable of estimating the voltage profile along the distribution network with DGs for online voltage control.