Improved RPV (reactive-power-variation) anti-islanding method for grid-connected three-phase PVPCS

As the grid-connected photovoltaic power conditioning systems (PVPCS) are installed in many residential areas, this has raised potential problems of network protection on electrical power system. One of the numerous problems is an island phenomenon. There has been an argument that because the probability of islanding is extremely low it may be a non-issue in practice. However, there are three counter-arguments: First, the low probability of islanding is based on the assumption of 100% power matching between the PVPCS and the islanded local loads. In fact, an island can be easily formed even without 100% power matching (the power mismatch could be up to 30% if only traditional protections are used, e.g. under/over voltage/frequency). The 30% power-mismatch condition will drastically increase the islanding probability. Second, even with a larger power mismatch, the time for voltage or frequency to deviate sufficient to cause a trip, plus the time required to execute the trip (particularly if conventional switchgear is required to operate), can easily be greater than the typical re-close time on the distribution circuit. And, third, the low-probability argument is based on the study of PVPCS. Especially, if the output power of PVPCS equals to power consumption of local loads, it is very difficult for the PVPCS to sustain the voltage and frequency in an island. Unintentional islanding of PVPCS may result in power-quality issues, interference to grid-protection devices, equipment damage, and even personnel safety hazards. So the verification of anti-islanding performance is strongly needed. In this paper, the authors propose the improved RPV method through considering power quality and anti-islanding capacity of grid-connected three-phase PVPCS in IEEE Std 1547 (ldquoStandard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources to Electric Power Systemsrdquo). And the simulation and experimental results are verified.