Reactive power control for improving voltage profiles: A comparison between two decentralized approaches

• Published in: Electric power systems research 2012-02, Vol.83 (1), p.247-254
• Main Authors: Calderaro, V., Conio, G., Galdi, V., Piccolo, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Distributed generation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical machines; Electrical power engineering; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuzzy logic; High voltage or high current generators; Miscellaneous; Natural energy; Reactive power control; Regulation and control; Various equipment and components; Voltage regulation; Wind energy; Wind turbine
• ISSN: 0378-7796; 1873-2046
• DOI: 10.1016/j.epsr.2011.10.010

► We deal with the local regulation of the voltage profiles in presence of wind generators. ► We present a comparison between two reactive power control methods. ► Fuzzy and sensitivity methods allow the voltage profile to be regulated within voltage limits. ► By simulations on a real distribution grid, a preference of fuzzy method is proved in terms of reactive power consuming. This paper is concerned with a local regulation of the voltage profiles at buses where wind power distributed generators are connected. In particular, the aim of the work is to compare two voltage control methods: the first based on a sensitivity analysis and the second on the designing of a fuzzy control system. The two methods are tested by means of simulations on a real distribution system and the results indicate that both methods allow the voltage profiles to be regulated at the wind generator connection bus within voltage standard limits, by taking into account the capability curves of the wind generators. Nevertheless, the fuzzy method presents more advantage in comparison with the sensitivity method. In fact, (i) it provides a gentler action control with a lower reactive power consumption during control operations as the reactive power profile follows better the voltage variations; (ii) the design of the fuzzy controller is independent from the knowledge of network parameters and its topology.