Impact of Large Amounts of Photovoltaic Installations in Low-Voltage Networks on Power System Stability During Transmission System Faults: A German Case Study

Impact of Large Amounts of Photovoltaic Installations in Low-Voltage Networks on Power System Stability During Transmission System Faults: A German Case Study

Van Ruitenbeek, E.

Van der Meijden, M. (mentor)
Rueda Torres, J.L. (mentor)
Boemer, J.C. (mentor)

Applied Sciences

Sustainable Energy Technology

Electrical Sustainable Energy

2014-11-30

It is expected that the share of renewable energy sources will increase to meet rising demand. One of the challenges integrating this distributed generation (DG) into the power system is the behaviour of low voltage connected DG in case of a transmission system fault. This research aims to give recommendations for low voltage (LV) grid codes to improve system stability in case of transmission system faults in systems with very high penetration of distributed generation. The study horizon is 2022. A comprehensive benchmark system is designed, ranging from the low (400 V) to extra high (380 kV) voltage levels. Three distribution system types representative of Germany are developed. Positivesequence, root mean square stability simulations are performed for current (2012) and future (2022) scenarios in the commercial DIgSILENT PowerFactory 15.1 software. Sensitivity analyses are performed for pre-fault operating point and, for the 2022 scenario, the fault control mode of the low voltage connected photovoltaic systems. To reduce complexity of the test system and facilitate the simulations, the low voltage and medium voltage (20 kV) networks are aggregated. The research shows that LVRT requirements should be set for converter coupled DG in the low voltage network. Due to their high penetration, the loss of active power with current regulations is likely to cause major frequency stability issues in the future. Due to their low penetration and difficulties remaining transiently stable, no LVRT requirements should be posed for directly coupled synchronous generators that are connected inside a low voltage feeder. Those connected at a substation can ride through faults as long as they remain transiently stable.

power system stability
photovoltaic power systems
power system modeling
distribution networks

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:cffa6cde-faeb-47b9-9023-210778b0a0d2

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2014 Van Ruitenbeek, E.