Minimizing the Reactive Support for Distributed Generation: Enhanced Passive Operation and Smart Distribution Networks

L. F. Ochoa, A. Keane, Gareth Harrison

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Renewable distributed generation (DG), primarily
wind power, will represent the lion’s share of the new generation
capacity that will be connected to distribution systems. However,
while both firm and variable generation present our traditionally
passive distribution networks with well-established technical challenges,
the requirements and practices related to the power factor
operation of these generation plants might lead to undesirable
effects at the transmission level with the reactive power support
needed by high penetrations of DG capacity potentially impacting
on weak areas of the transmission grid. In this work, this problem
is formulated as the minimization of the reactive support for DG
and is investigated using two different operational perspectives:
adopting passive but enhanced power factor and substation settings,
and implementing Smart Grid control schemes. These two
approaches are modeled using a tailored multi-period AC optimal
power flow technique that caters for the variability of demand
and generation, and considers N-1 contingencies. The results
demonstrate that the enhanced passive approach is able to achieve
a performance almost as good as Smart Grid control without the
need for any additional investment.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2134 - 2142
JournalIEEE Transactions on Power Systems
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2011

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Distributed generation
  • N-1 contingencies
  • smart grids
  • optimal power flow
  • wind power

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