GRID CONNECTED PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATORS

During the initial report review meeting following needs were raised. Collect more information regarding Photovoltaic generators as a Distributed Generator or as a Large Scale Photovoltaic Power Station. LARGE SCALE PV GENERATOR STATIONS IEEE 1547 standard, which is currently adopted by most of the PV manufactures, do not allow PV generator to regulate grid voltage, i.e. PV does not have the capability to self correct voltage variations caused by PV power generation. The standard also requires PV generators to pull out of grid and cease operation in the event of voltage or grid frequency disturbance, disallowing PV to form undesired islanding situation. However in the case of large power station, grid codes require its contribution in grid stability. Thus in the case of large scale PV power station IEEE 1547 standard, which is voluntary and should not be followed, allowing PV station to participate in the grid stability performance. It is shown in [1] that voltage change due to variable power can be defined using following equation.
V = P Q R X V V

(1)

Above equations shows that, any change in voltage due to active power generation can be compensated by reactive power compensation. Similar findings are represented in [2] . It states that large scale PV stations will have to be designed bigger or centralized static VAR compensation system have to be installed in order to support grid voltage variation. Similarly, Large Scale PV generator stations should have fault ride through capability. It is indicated in [1] that loss of a Large Scale PV generator or a large number of DGs simultaneous tripping due to voltage or frequency disturbance can have serious impact on system security. Figure 1 shows simulation results of WECC grid in western US when it assumed to have 20% PV penetration. There are three scenarios described here. First scenario assumes PV generator high disturbance sensitivity (under voltage trip at 0.9 p.u.), second scenario assumes reduced sensitivity ( under voltage trip at 0.7 p.u.) and the thirst scenario assumes no PV tripping.

Figure 1. Effect of fault sensitivity on grid security

It can be seen from figure that with high PV disturbance sensitivity grid security is compromised in the case of disturbance. While grid gains new steady state level when, PV disturbance sensitivity is less or not sensitive to disturbances. Similarly [2] explains, according to German grid code PV generators have to support during the transients. PV generator is required to inject certain amount of short-circuit current (agreed with network operator) in invent of voltage drop due to fault. In addition to this, it should feed-in the same amount of active power (and absorb the same or less reactive power) when the fault is cleared. Figure 2 shows grid code used for renewable distributed generators in a number of European countries.

Figure 2. Grid codes for renewable distributed generators in a number of European countries.

A distributed generator is required to remain connected operation above the border lines shown in the figure, providing voltage support to grid.

DISTRIBUTED PV GENERATORS ON LV DISTRIBUTION NETWORK In initial report a number of issues represented below relating grid connected PV generators were highlighted. Further investigating it was found that mainly these issues dominate studies regarding grid connected PV on distribution network. A summery of [3] to [6] is represented below and a number of solutions suggested are also explained. 1. Voltage Rise due to real power generation: On the distribution network higher the distance of load from substation, higher the voltage drop and lower the voltage at the point of connection. This also depends on type of load; with higher number of inductive loads condition worsens. This is due to current flowing in the network to meet active and reactive power demand of the load. Due to this current flow and line impedance there is a significant voltage drop. Figure 3. exhibits this effect. It is responsibility of utility to maintain Voltage at the point of common coupling.

Figure 3. Under and Over voltage effect on distribution network

With PV generator installations on distribution network, demand of active power is met locally to load, reducing current flow in the distribution network and improving voltage profile. However, in the light load condition when the PV generation is higher then the load demand, generated access real power is feedback in to the grid, causing reverse current flow and voltage rise. In the urban region or where (X/R) ratio is higher this voltage rise may not be a big issue. Where in the case of rural grids or where (X/R) is low over voltage may cross the upper limit and pose a serious power quality problems. Here it is assumed that PV generator follows IEEE 1547 standard and operates at Unit power factor. A number of different methods are described in [3] to [6] to control over or under voltage problems. A brief summer is provided here. As shown in Figure 4. Under or over voltage problems are generally controlled by sending end transformer voltage control.

Figure 4. Voltage Control on Distribution Network Using Bank Transformer

However, this transformer will be connected to other neighbouring lines as well, causing unnecessary voltage rise or voltage drops in these lines, while compensating voltage in PV connected line. As voltage rise is caused by active power generation one of the measure is, to control voltage rise is to curtail the active power generation. Whenever voltage along the line is exceeded the over voltage limit, PV at that point should generate at reduced capacity. As shown in the Figure.5

Figure 5. Power Curtailment for voltage control But this not a good option as a load located farthest from the substation will have to operate at curtailed power regularly, and do injustice to the owner.

Another option is to not follow IEE1547 standard and participate in grid voltage stability. This implies that PV generator can generate or absorb reactive power to control voltage. The limiting factor in this case is rating of inverter. When PV generator have MPPT algorithm operating, and it is producing possible maximum real power, whatever inverter capability is left can be utilized to absorb the reactive power in the case of overvoltage. However, when PV is using total rating of inverter, it cannot absorb anymore reactive power. There are two options to overcome this problem. I. Using Overrated Inverter:- According to this practice, an inverter is chosen with slightly higher rating than PV generator. Figure 6. shows by increasing inverter rating by 10%, reactive power capability can be increased from zero to 10%.

Figure 6. Increasing Reactive Power capability by increasing inverter rating

By increasing reactive power capability, reactive power can be absorbed even though PV is generating at maximum capability, to bring the voltage down in the over voltage situation. Figure 7. shows Voltage increase Vp due to active power and compensating voltage Vq which is limited due to inverters maximum current capability.

Figure 7. Voltage Compensation with increased Reactive Power Capability

It is seen that when maximum current capability (i.e inverter rating ) is increased inverter is capable of absorbing more reactive power and able to give more compensating voltage Vq (dotted). II. Generation Curtailment:- As seen above that in order to absorb additional Reactive power overrated inverter should be used. In contrast this method requires using the same inverter but with reduced active power generation, in order to release some of its capability to absorb more reactive power. ( i.e. operating with lagging power factor) Figure. 8 shows result when inverter is used with generation curtailment.

Figure 8. Voltage Control using Generation Curtailment.

2. Instantaneous Voltage Changes: In the case of fault as PV generators are required to disconnect from the grid and not participate in grid stability, simultaneous disconnection may result. This is not a significant effect in the case of low penetration, but when there is a very large PV penetration there is an instantaneous voltage dip as shown in the Figure 9. These may lead malfunctioning or tripping of many types of equipment on the network. Other case is when any new induction or synchronous generator is brought in the network to supply needed active power, there is a high amount of inrush current on the network, which may lead to instantaneous voltage change. ( Need to bring other form of generation may be due to reduced production from PV generators, because of shading or a large cloud covering a number of PV generators)

Figure 9. Voltage Dip due to Instantaneous Voltage Change To address this issue there should be some fast acting Reactive Power compensation arrangement. This can include STATCOM, SVC or reactive power compensation using PV generators (producing more reactive power). 3. Unintended Islanding and Fault Ride Through Capability: - IEEE 1547 requires PV generators to pull out of grid in the event of any fault and not participate in the Grid stability. To meet this requirement PV generators are designed to detect abnormal power quality in voltage, frequency and grid impedance, and disconnect immediately in case of any undesired variation. In a special condition when power generated from PV systems and consumed in the load are same it will fail to detect unintended islanding and will continue supplying. This is an undesirable situation, as this will be a risk for maintenance personal, trying to solve a fault, as network is still live. Moreover during unintended islanding situation main grid and the distribution network will be operating independently and voltage might be out of phase. In this situation if breaker is reclosed with a large phase difference, a large current can flow in the line with can cause further damage.

4. Harmonic distortion: As described previously there is no evidence of significant harmonic distortion due to Grid connected PV generators.

REFERENCES
1. R. A. Walling and K. Clark, Grid support functions implemented in utilityscale PV systems, in Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition, 2010 IEEE PES, 2010, 1-5. 2. http://www.fwc.com/publications/tech_papers/files/TP_Solar_10_01.pdf 3. Johan Morren Grid support by power electronic converters of Distributed Generation units 4. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS PROGRAM,Overcoming PV grid issues in urban areas, IEA PVPS Task 10, Activity 3.3Report IEA-PVPS T10-06 : 2009 October 2009 5. Y. Liu et al., Distribution System Voltage Performance Analysis for HighPenetration PV, in Energy 2030 Conference, 2008. ENERGY 2008. IEEE, 2008, 1-8. 6. J.H.R. Enslin, Network impacts of high penetration of photovoltaic solar power systems, in Power and Energy Society General Meeting, 2010 IEEE, 2010, 1-5.