Voltage control demonstration for LV networks with controllable der - The SuSTAINABLE project approach

Abstract

One of the main constraints for Renewable Energy Sources (RES) integration in LV networks are overvoltages caused by changing the normal power flow of the network. In favourable weather conditions high voltages may lead to overvoltage trips thus preventing the injection of renewable energy into the grid. An optimized management of power injection from controlled RES to keep the grid voltage within regulatory limits enables a larger energy output and deployment of distributed generation. The SuSTAINABLE project developed a centralized algorithm based on a hierarchical methodology to control distributed power injection and solve the identified issue. A decentralized algorithm based on a coordinated droop control embedded in the inverters was developed as well. In order to evaluate the proposed algorithms a controllable PV µG and batteries were installed at the end of the feeder of a real LV network operated by EDP Distribuicao. The obtained results are presented in this paper and show that a hierarchical methodology to control power injection could optimize RES energy production while maintaining voltages within bounds, thus enabling a larger deployment of RES at the LV levels.