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GCC POWER 2024

Paper ID – 2100
Theme Name – Renewable Energy and Power for the Gulf States

Overvoltage Mitigation at the Point of common coupling (PCC)


due to Distributed energy resources (DERs)

Qutaibah AL-HAZAIMEH * Suhaib AL-ZO’BI


IDECO IDECO
Jordan Jordan
qutaiba.alhazaime@ideco.com.jo sohayb.alzoubi@ideco.com.jo

SUMMARY

With the rapid increase in the penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) on low
voltage networks, power quality issues have become a significant concern, particularly
regarding voltage rise at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC). As DERs continue to
expand, ensuring proper voltage regulation at the PCC has become essential to meet the
standards set by regulatory bodies. This paper presents a comprehensive study that employs
advanced simulation tools like CYME Software to model and validate low voltage
networks integrated with DERs, enabling load flow analysis to identify, address and,
remedy voltage rise issues.

The objective of this research is to explore and evaluate various effective techniques and
techniques that can effectively mitigate voltage rise caused by DERs. Which aims to
optimize voltage regulation and minimize voltage rise, considering technical feasibility,
economic viability, and to ensure grid stability and pave the way for a sustainable energy
future. A multitude of potential solutions are investigated, each aimed at optimizing voltage
regulation within the network.

In conclusion, the integration of Distributed Energy Resources presents both opportunities


and challenges for low voltage distribution networks. While DERs offer the promise of
clean, renewable energy generation, they also introduce complexities related to voltage rise
and power quality issues. By leveraging advanced simulation and modeling tools and
exploring innovative mitigation strategies, it is possible to address these challenges
effectively and pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable energy future.

KEYWORDS

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), Low voltage networks, Voltage rise, Power
quality issues, Point of Common Coupling (PCC), CYME Software.
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INTRODUCTION

Recently, Energy demand has constantly been on the rise due to aggressive industrialization
and civilization. This rise in energy demand results in the massive penetration of distributed
generation (DG) in the distribution network (DN) which has been a holistic approach to
enhance the capacity of distribution networks. However, this has led to a number of issues
in the low voltage network, one of which is the voltage rise problem. This happens when
generation exceeds demand thereby causing reverse power flow and consequently leading
to overvoltage. In addition, Various potential consequences involved with grid-connected
DG. Most notably, power quality problems such as over-voltage (OV), voltage imbalance,
increase losses in some cases, and may arise as well as protection maloperation [1], [2], [3].

A number of methods have been discussed to overcome this challenge ranging from
network augmentation to active management of the distribution networks.

CYME Modeling

The CYME software provides powerful modeling capabilities that support the detailed
modeling of any distribution, industrial or transmission network of any scale or complexity.
A sample network with DERs was modeled on CYME as shown in Figure (1). Core
Modules for Transmission and Industrial:

 Power flow analysis for three phase electric power networks


 Fault conditions simulation for three-phase electric power systems.
 Per-phase voltage drop and power flow analysis
 Fault calculations (fault flows and fault voltages)
 Protective device analysis
 Optimal capacitor placement and sizing
 Load balancing and load allocation/estimation
 Analyses on balanced or unbalanced three-phase, two-phase and single-phase systems
that are operated in radial, looped or meshed configurations.
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Figure 1: LV network modeled by Cyme software.

Overvoltage Mitigation techniques and Experimental results

The proposed techniques encompass a range of scenarios and considerations, including:

1. Balancing of single-phase Photovoltaic (PV) systems on the same feeder: distribution


network has been integrated with a significant amount of distributed energy resources
(DERs) solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS) for example.
The customers in low voltage distribution network (LVDN) who installed a single-
phase rooftop PV system at a household. In addition, to the trend of electric vehicle
(EV) adoption is increasing, where an EV can be utilized as a controllable load, energy
storage, or power supply source can lead to power quality problems, such as
overvoltage, voltage fluctuation, and voltage unbalance. By distribute number of PV
systems evenly and the ordinary customers on the three phases based on their loads
across the feeder, the potential for voltage rise could be mitigated. As shown in Figure
(2).
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Figure 2: PCC voltage profile before and after balancing.

2. Re-conductoring of lines and cables: Using inappropriate cross-sectional area of lines


may increase voltage drop, rise the potential of overvoltage at the PCC and losses of
the network. So, upgrading the capacity of lines and cables is examined as a means to
accommodate the increased DER penetration and regulate voltage levels. Which means
decreasing the impedance of lines to reduce the overvoltage that may be caused by
DERs. For example, the effect of upgrading network cables from size (70 mm2) to (120
mm2) showed a rise of PCC voltage by (4 V) as illustrated in figure (3).
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Figure 3: effect of upgrading network cable).

3. Optimized switching: Strategic switching operations within the network can help
regulate voltage and reduce voltage rise at the PCC. This technique will assist in
minimizing the losses (and hence lower the operating cost) or minimizing the voltage
exceptions in the network by changing the network topology, while respecting voltage
and loading limits as follows:

 Perform load transfer studies to determine how loads can be transferred from a
heavily loaded substation to another or from feeder to feeder.
 Minimize the number of abnormal conditions such as over/under voltages and
overloads.
 Reduce the electrical length of certain feeders by transferring some of their circuits
to other feeders.

4. Construction of dedicated feeders: construction of dedicated feeders for DERs as a


solution to alleviate voltage rise. Simulations are conducted to assess the feasibility and
impact of implementing dedicated pathways for distributed energy. Figure (4) shows
results of construction of dedicated feeders colored with Green of length (600 m), it
improved min of PCC voltage by (10 V) and reduced (3V) in max of PCC voltage.
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Figure 4: Construction of dedicated feeders colored with Green.

5. Installation of new transformers: The addition of new transformers or the upgrading of


existing ones is considered to address voltage rise issues. The research investigates
different transformer configurations and evaluates their impact on voltage regulation.
Figure (5) shows results of installing new transformer near the customers lacking of
over and under voltage issue due to DER and long distance from original source. it
improved min of PCC voltage by (17 V) and (6V) reduction in max of PCC voltage as
illustrated.

Figure 5:shows results of installing new transformer.


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6. Setting power factor of inverters: The purpose of this control is to regulate the voltage
at the monitored element by modifying the output reactive power using a user-defined
Volt-var curve. Based on the operating range of the inverters (-88%) to (+88%), and
direction of reactive power in the network, PF setting could be adjusted to make the
inverters operate either in over-excited or under-excited mode to control the level of
voltage at the PCC. From figure (6) presented below it is obvious that the level of
voltage decreased to be within the allowable limits. (230±10%) at the PCC, i.e. (from
257v to 250 v at max.).

Figure 6; results of Setting power factor of inverters.

7. Mounting Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVRs): The implementation of AVRs at key


locations within the network is examined as a means to maintain voltage within the
desired range. The study analyzed the impact of AVR placement and investigated the
effectiveness of this solution in voltage regulation as shown below in figure (7), it
illustrates the PCC voltage before regulator was (182-240 V), and after became (214-
227 V).
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Figure 7: Mounting Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVRs)

8. Tap changer adjustment: Modifying tap settings on transformers can enable voltage
regulation and mitigate voltage rise. Figure (8) it illustrates the PCC voltage before tap
changer adjustment was (237-257 V), and after became (234-251 V).
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Figure 8: results of Tap changer adjustment

Conclusion

The proposed techniques, the research includes experimental studies and extensive
simulations using the CYME Software. These simulations encompass a wide range of
scenarios, considering different DER configurations, load profiles, and network topologies.
The obtained results are compared against relevant standards and guidelines to ensure
compliance with voltage regulation requirements.

The experimental studies and simulations confirm the accuracy, suitability, and
applicability of the proposed techniques in mitigating voltage rise issues due to DER
integration in low voltage networks.

The findings demonstrate that a combination of these techniques, tailored to the specific
characteristics of the network, can effectively regulate voltage levels at the PCC, ensuring
compliance with regulatory standards.
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There are many advantages of the proposed scheme over a variety of other control schemes,
including: plug-and-play compatibility, no need for communications,
simple integration with existing constant power control schemes for inverters and a fair and
equitable system for power flow allocation. Possible complications may arise where DG
penetration reaches a significantly high percentage of the energy supply within a feeder.
For example, if an island was to be formed when DG penetration levels are over 100% of
the island, the OV mitigation scheme would prevent an OV situation from occurring that
would normally be detected by anti-islanding protection. However, this problem is easily
remedied if a significant reactive power requirement from the load cannot be met due to
the loss of mains [4].

In conclusion, this paper presents a comprehensive analysis of various techniques for


mitigating voltage rise issues caused by DERs in low voltage networks. By utilizing CYME
Software for modeling and load flow analysis, the research provides valuable insights into
the effectiveness of each technique. The results highlight the importance of carefully
selecting and implementing a combination of solutions to voltage rise issue.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Demirok, E. et al., “Local Reactive Power Control Methods for Overvoltage Prevention
of Distributed Solar Inverters in Low-Voltage Grids”, IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, VOL.
1, NO. 2, 2011, pp. 174-182

[2] Endeavour Energy Power Quality and Reliability Centre, “Small Scale Domestic
Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Systems”, Technical Note 10, 2011

[3] Conti, S., “Analysis of distribution network protection issues in presence of dispersed
generation”, Electric Power Systems Research, VOL. 79, NO. 1, 2009, pp. 49-56

[4] Kennedy, J. and Ciufo, P. and Agalgaonkar, A., “Intelligent load management in
Microgrids”, 2012 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting, 2012, p.p 1-8

Websites

1- https://www.eaton.com/ae/en-gb.html.
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