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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Neal WadeORCiD, Professor Sara Walker
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Expansion of photovoltaic (PV) generation is increasing the challenge for network operators to keep voltages within operational limits. Voltage rise occurs in low voltage (LV) networks when distributed generators export, particularly at times of low demand. However, there is little work quantifying the scale of voltage issues and subsequently potential solutions across large numbers of real networks. In this paper, a method is presented to analyse a large quantity of geographically and topographically varying distribution networks. The impact of PV on voltages in 9163 real LV distribution networks is then quantified. One potential mitigation measure is increased network demand to reduce voltages. In this work, location algorithms are used to identify where increased demand, through energy storage, has the greatest effect on overvoltage. The study explores the impact on overvoltage of two modes of storage installation reflecting differing routes to adoption: purchase of storage by homeowners and purchase by network operators. These scenarios are compared with traditional re-conductoring in the 9163 networks. It is shown that to avoid violation of absolute voltage limits, storage should be installed at strategically important locations. Storage in homes reduces overvoltage, offering clear benefits to the network operator, but very wide deployment is required to completely remove the need for reinforcement.
Author(s): Crossland AF, Jones D, Wade NS, Walker SL
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Energies
Year: 2018
Volume: 11
Issue: 8
Online publication date: 06/08/2018
Acceptance date: 03/08/2018
Date deposited: 16/08/2018
ISSN (electronic): 1996-1073
Publisher: MDPI
URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/en11082041
DOI: 10.3390/en11082041
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