Options for Control of Reactive Power by Distributed Photovoltaic Generators

High-penetration levels of distributed photovoltaic (PV) generation on an electrical distribution circuit present several challenges and opportunities for distribution utilities. Rapidly varying irradiance conditions may cause voltage sags and swells that cannot be compensated by slowly responding u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the IEEE 2011-06, Vol.99 (6), p.1063-1073
Main Authors: Turitsyn, Konstantin, Sulc, Petr, Backhaus, Scott, Chertkov, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Capacitors
Circuits
Control systems
Distributed generation
Electric potential
Electric utilities
Electricity distribution
feeder line
Generators
Inverters
photovoltaic (PV) power generation
Photovoltaic systems
Power demand
power flow
Reactive power
Utilities
Voltage
Voltage control
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Summary:High-penetration levels of distributed photovoltaic (PV) generation on an electrical distribution circuit present several challenges and opportunities for distribution utilities. Rapidly varying irradiance conditions may cause voltage sags and swells that cannot be compensated by slowly responding utility equipment resulting in a degradation of power quality. Although not permitted under current standards for interconnection of distributed generation, fast-reacting, VAR-capable PV inverters may provide the necessary reactive power injection or consumption to maintain voltage regulation under difficult transient conditions. As side benefit, the control of reactive power injection at each PV inverter provides an opportunity and a new tool for distribution utilities to optimize the performance of distribution circuits, e.g., by minimizing thermal losses. We discuss and compare via simulation various design options for control systems to manage the reactive power generated by these inverters. An important design decision that weighs on the speed and quality of communication required is whether the control should be centralized or distributed (i.e., local). In general, we find that local control schemes are able to maintain voltage within acceptable bounds. We consider the benefits of choosing different local variables on which to control and how the control system can be continuously tuned between robust voltage control, suitable for daytime operation when circuit conditions can change rapidly, and loss minimization better suited for nighttime operation.
ISSN:0018-9219
1558-2256
DOI:10.1109/JPROC.2011.2116750