Impact of PV Power Plants on the Voltage Conditions and Power System Losses in MV Distribution Network

Abstract

Photovoltaic plants (PV) are among the fastest growing energy sources in the world, with annual growth rates of 25-35% over the last ten years. Furthermore, most of the new PV capacity has been installed in the distribution grid as distributed generation bringing new challenges for the grid operators. As the use of PV plants continues to expand, concern about its potential impact on the stability and operation of the electricity grid grow as well. This study assesses the effects of different levels of PV penetration on the distribution network voltage conditions and power system losses. A representative distribution system feeder was selected to perform PV power plant influence analysis with realistic data for PV production and distribution network load.

Damir Jakus

Full Professor | Department of Power Grids and Substations

Researcher and a full professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Split. His research interests include power system optimization and planning, RES integration, electricity market modeling.

Josip Vasilj

Associate Professor | Department of Power Grids and Substations

Researcher and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Naval Architecture in Split, where he teaches courses related to engineering economics, power system analysis, power grids and machine learning. His research focus is the application of advanced numerical methods to problems in the analysis and planning of power system operations.

Ranko Goić

Full Professor | Department of Power Grids and Substations

Full professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Naval Architecture in Split exeperienced in transmission and distribution networks, renewable energy sources (RES), power system planing and economics