Reactive Power Compensation for Preventing Voltage Instabilities in Distribution Lines Enriched with PV Power Plants

Abstract

The efficient voltage regulation method by capacitive reactive power usage is represented in the article. The stochastic electricity generation of multiple PV stations placed in local distribution lines induces voltage instabilities. These voltage fluctuations may overcome the allowable limits and cause technical problems and economic losses. The method of applying reactive power generated by a capacitor bank at the load is proposed. Primarily, a strict analytical solution of non-linear equations describing voltage deviations in the distribution line connected with photovoltaic systems was obtained. The control system can fast select optimal capacitors based on the analytical solution and then connect them smoothly to a load. The developed experimental setup verified and approved the correctness and accuracy of theoretical analysis. Experimental measurements confirmed the proposed method’s ability to improve voltage stability in distribution grids. The proposed method is supposed to be used together with the transformer tap-changers in electrical substations. The capacitive power is applied in a time of inappropriate voltage deviations only and is disconnected as the tap-changer corrected the transformation ratio.