Evaluating the impact of different PV control strategies on distribution network operation

For managing carbon emission, micro-generation with different capabilities are being actively explored for grid integration. Such small scale generation connected to low and medium voltage conventional network that are not designed to accommodate distributed generation pose various issues like voltage rise during off peak hours. The aim of this paper is to evaluate different inverter control strategies under different conditions created by pseudo-random events through simulation on a test network. PQ control mode, voltage control mode and voltage droop control mode are compared in terms of node voltage, line losses and impact on fault. Several aspects like load, PV penetration and inverter properties are varied to capture parameters like node voltages and line losses for evaluating impact of PV control modes on the network. The representative network which has been extracted from New Zealand grid data and all assessments are carried out using simulated in DIgSILENT power factory. The main emphasis of this paper is around development of index which can quantify the effect of PV control mode on network parameters.