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Effect of distributed generation on line losses and Network Resonances

Conference Paper · January 2014

DOI: 10.1109/ICAEE.2014.6838525

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 Effect of Distributed Generation on Line
Losses and Network Resonances
Shriram. S. Rangarajan , Sreejith.S , Siddhartha Nigam
School of Electrical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology
Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Time North American Radial Distribution Feeder has been
Abstract-- Technological advancement in renewable energy systems considered.
and government incentives like Feed In Tariff Program for green
electricity generation is motivating utilities around the world to Integration of large wind farms in distribution system can
upgrade their existing distribution system infrastructure in order to significantly alter the network resonance impedance due to
accommodate increased wind power and photovoltaic (PV) solar
power based distributed generation (DG) systems. This paper
aggregate terminal capacitances of all Wind Turbine
presents the effect of Distributed Generation Systems on various Generators (WTGs) of SCIG type and other Inverter based
factors like the Line Losses, Voltage Profile and Network DG’s. The integration of Wind Turbine not only alters the
Resonances. A suitable real time North American Distribution frequency impedance peaks of the network but also results in
Feeder is considered along with Distributed Generation (DG) units. high harmonic distortion. Although the level of total harmonic
The well-developed graphic facilities available in an industry distortion (THD) may be within the limits and but this
standard power system package, namely PSCAD/EMTDC for the
Network Resonance Study and Distribution Engineering Simulation
resonance characteristics of distribution network may worsen
Software (DESS) for Line Loss and Voltage Profile Study are the condition and lead to increase of the THD beyond that
considered to study the impact of Distributed Generation unit in prescribed by IEEE Standard 519. This paper demonstrates the
Distribution Systems. simulation results of the frequency impedance peaks along
with the Line loss study and voltage profile improvement
Index Terms— Distributed Generation, Network Resonances, when a DG unit is added of a DG unit clearly.
DESS, PSCAD/EMTDC
II. OVERVIEW OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATION
I. INTRODUCTION
Wind energy and Solar Energy (PV) are considered to be one
The Feed In Tariff program (FIT) is the North America’s first
of the cleanest form of renewable energy. The recent
comprehensive pricing structure for renewable electricity
observance in the climatic changes has paved the way for
generation with standardized set of rules. Based on the
exploiting more Green Energy resources like Wind and Solar.
interest, any person is free to take up a project under the FIT
Though the technology seems to be expensive, it has found
itself a new dimension and has got a very good reception in scheme or micro-FIT scheme and generate electricity from the
the society especially with the introduction of Programs like renewable resources like solar and wind energy. From the
Feed in Tariff and the incentives provided by them [1-5]. A utility perspective, this would not only supply their local
DG when integrated into the system could provide voltage loads, but they are also benefited by connecting their
regulation in the grid by suitable reactive power compensation generators to the grid., the integration of these generators into
[6-12]. Earlier IEEE 1547 didn’t permit the reactive power the distribution network would introduce several benefits such
injection into the grid. as meeting the local electricity demand, relief of transmission
congestion and reduction in line losses. However such
integration accounts for a major paradigm shift for distribution
Whenever the real power generation is minimal, the remaining networks as these generators (to date, mostly asynchronous
capacity of the DG’s Inverter could be used for voltage generators and often inverter based generators) do not mimic
regulation purpose by suitable reactive power injection [13- the well known characteristics of synchronous machines.
15]. The latest advancement in this technology has paved the Some of the well known challenges related to integration of
way for a development of revision in the version of IEEE distributed generators in distribution feeders are voltage
1547. The revised version IEEE 1547.8 is expected to give regulation at different buses along the feeder, power quality of
permission to Distributed Generators to inject reactive power distribution feeder, reliability of system, and active as well as
into the grid and perform functions like voltage regulation and
reactive power management of network. Furthermore, DG
power factor correction. Some papers have discussed about
integration significantly alters conventional direction of power
Distributed Generator in a Distribution Network for Loss
Flow by injecting/consuming both real as well as reactive
reduction and Voltage Profile Improvement [16-18]. Some of
power. For instance, a wind DG generates more power at night
the papers have discussed the impact analysis on network
since the speed of the wind is more during night compared to
resonances [19]. But the all the analysis like the Impact of DG
day and the load during the night time is very less. This results
on Network Resonances, Line Losses and Voltage Profile
in reverse power flow which has to be assessed before
study has not been carried out together.
introducing a DG onto the network. Apart
from that, the very important aspect is the network resonances. The explanation for different color coding on the feeder is
The resonance basically occurs due the interaction of an interpreted above in the Fig.I. They represent the voltage
inductor and a capacitor. A wind based DG, typically when a levels on the feeder in p.u. The distribution network normally
Squirrel Cage Induction Generator (SCIG) or a Self Excited operates within a band of +/-5% which is the normal
Induction Generator (SEIG) and a Doubly Fed Induction recommendation of operation for any typical utility network.
Generator (DFIG) is introduced onto a distribution network, a
careful assessment has to be made whether this DG which has
a terminal capacitor which is used for the reactive power IV. OPTIMAL LOCATION DG SOLAR PLANT BASED ON
support of the DG unit, interacts with the system inductances VOLTAGE SENSITIVITY INDEX
and tend to introduce the resonance. A suitable distributed
In order to restrict solution space to few buses, voltage
feeder is considered and modeled in DESS and PSCAD. The
sensitive nodes are first identified by penetrating PV Solar
network resonance study is carried out by means of PSCAD
Plant with 25% of the total feeder loading capacity at different
Software. The simulation is analyzed with and without the
nodes and location on the feeder at a time and then,
inclusion of DG to see its effect on network resonances. The
calculating the voltage sensitivity index (VSI) using the
Line Loss and Voltage Profile Improvement study has been formula below. When DG is connected at bus i, VSI for bus i
carried out using DESS. is defined as [17]:
III. DESCRIPTION OF THE RADIAL DISTRIBUTION FEEDER
The total length of the feeder considering the distance of the main
lateral from the Substation is around 16 kms approximately. This
where Vk is voltage at kth node and n is the number of nodes.
feeder consists of many single phase transformers, three phase
The node with least VSI will be picked as the best location for
transformers, loads that vary with time and three single phase
the DG placement. Based on the nature of the feeder, the
voltage regulators for R, W and B phases respectively on the mid
remote end of the feeder is being considered for the study
way of the feeder used for regulating the voltage levels along the
since the voltage profile gradually decreases as we proceed
radial feeder. The details are slightly modified and approximated
towards the end of a radial feeder.
and the location of the feeder and other details are not revealed
due to the confidentiality of the information and the data
presented in this paper is slightly different from the original data Based on the loading levels of the feeder which is ranging
of the feeder. between 1- 1.3 MVA and Voltage Sensitivity Index, a DG 250
kVA is considered. Considering the radial nature of the feeder,
the ideal and best location for the DG was finalized to be the
The Substation has a step down transformer rated at 2000 end of the radial feeder where the Voltage levels were very
kVA, 27.6 kV/ 8.32 kV. Hence it is an 8.32 kV feeder having low.
a total of 206 transformers, largest having the rating of 500
kVA. The total Load fed by this feeder was ranging between 1
MVA to 1.3 MVA at 0.92 Power Factor. The Industrial Feeder The PSCAD Model of the same feeder is shown in the Fig.
considered for study in DESS is shown below. Below. For analysis purpose, the feeder voltage is modeled as
a voltage source behind its short circuit impedance. The DG is
added towards the end of the radial feeder for analysis. The
Frequency Impedance Scan was used to plot the graph
between the Impedance and the Frequency. Three important
observations were made from these studies. The first
simulation was carried out with the Distribution Network
without the DG. Then the DG’s were added in steps using a
switching mechanism in PSCAD software. The effect of one
DG integrated into the system was observed and then the
effect of the second DG that has been added to the system on
Network Resonances was observed.

Fig.I Industrial Feeder considered for study from DESS

Fig.II PSCAD Model of Industrial Feeder considered

 V. SIMULATION STUDY ON THE FEEDER
Table. I Peak resonance frequency for resonance with
A. Network Resonance Study multiple DG’s at the same bus
Za
30 DG First Peak (nth Second Peak (nth
No DG Numbers Harmonic) Harmonic)
25 with 1 DG
Phase Phase Phase Phase Phase Phase
20 with 2 DG R W B R W B

15
NO DG 250 250 250 - - -
th th th
(4 ) (4 ) (4 )
10
ONE DG 249 249 249 2250 2250 2250
th th th th th th
5
(37 ) (37 ) (37 )
(4 ) (4 ) (4 )
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Fr equency ( Hz ) TWO 245 245 245 1500 1500 1500

DG’s th th
(4 th
)
th
(4 ) (4 th
) (25 ) (25 ) (25 th )
Zb
30

No DG Table. II THDv and THDi measured at the same bus for Multiple
25
DG’s
with 1 DG
20 with 2 DG DG Va(%) Ia(%) Vb(%) Ib(%) Vc(%) Ic(%)
Impedance (Ohms)

Numbers
15
NO DG 4.6 2.95 3.4 2.9 2.2 1.1
10

ONE DG
3.0 3.4 2.8 2.7 1.8 1.6
5

TWO
4.2 5.3 4.01 5.3 2.2 1.6
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 DG’s
Frequency (Hz)

Figure.I and Figure.II represents the same feeder designed in

Zc DESS and PSCAD Software respectively. For the analysis of
Network Resonances and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD),
30 PSCAD is used. The Frequency Impedance Scan is run for
No DG three different cases. Fig. III shows the plot obtained for the
25
with 1 DG demonstration of Network Resonances which is plotted
with 2 DG between the Impedance (Ohms) and Frequency (Hz) for three
Impedance (Ohms)

20
phases Za, Zb and Zc respectively. The results obtained in all
15 the three phases are similar.

10
The first case is run without the DG. It could be seen from Fig.
th
5
III that the first peak occurs at 250Hz which corresponds to 4
Harmonic order as seen from Table. 1.
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
The second case is run with 1 DG penetrated into the system.
Frequency (Hz)
It could be clearly observed that the first peak shifts slightly
that corresponds to 249 HZ. But the introduction of second
peak could also be observed occurring at 2250HZ that
th
corresponds to 37 Peak.
Fig.III Three phase frequency scan plots for the
Multiple DG’s connected at the same bus
The third case is run with 2 DG’s penetrated into the system in
the same bus. It could be seen that the first peak shifts slightly
that corresponds to 245 HZ and the second peak shifting to
th
1500 HZ that corresponds to 25 Peak.
From these results obtained, though there had been a slight
shift in peaks and introduction of second peak with DG
integration, it is well within the safe limit and does not hamper Voltage without DG(p.u.)
the performance of the system. As long as the peak doesn’t Voltage with DG with P = 205kW and Q = 0kVar
override or move towards the fundamental component, the Voltage with DG with P = 205kW and Q = 148.96
system is fine with the Distributed Generator.
1

Similarly, the total harmonic distortion for voltage and current

0.95
(THDv and THDi) are obtained through a Fast Fourier
Transform (FFT) analysis. The results are shown in Table.II. It 0.9
could be observed that both THDv and THDi are well within
the harmonic limit of 5%. 0.85

B. Line Loss and Voltage Profile Study 0.8

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15

st udy at 11 am

The second analysis that has been carried out on the same
Feeder designed in DESS Software is the Voltage Profile and Fig.IV Study during 11 A.M
Line Loss study. The Load Flow is performed every one hour
with the DG connected to the feeder and it has been carried
out for 24 Hours considering the generation from DG Plant Voltage without DG (p.u.)
starting from 6 A.M. The term DG has been mainly used for Voltage with DG with P = 0 kw and Q = 250kVar (p.u.)
sources like PV Solar and Wind Energy. Whenever the

Voltage (p.
1.05
sunlight is present and the wind availability is there, the DG
produces real power. By using the technique of reactive power 1
injection from the DG, the remaining capacity of the DG
0.95
Inverter could be used to generate reactive power thereby
regulating the voltage levels on the feeder. Represents the plot 0.9
between Voltage (p.u) and the distance along the main feeder 0 5 10 15 20
in kms. This study is done for a period of 24 hours starting Study at 12 a.m
from 6 A.M. The important studies alone are tabulated and the
corresponding plots between Voltage (p.u) and Distance in
Fig.V Study during 12 A.M
Kms are shown from Fig. III to Fig. VI. It could be well
observed from Fig.III to Fig. VI that there is definite amount
of Voltage Profile Improvement during different intervals of
time using the Reactive Power Capability of the DG.

B.V in the Table. III to Table. VI represents the Best Value

that could be defined as the value of reactive power injection
during which the Line loss is minimal. Max represents the
Maximum Value upto which the DG could inject Reactive
power based on the available capacity after the real power
injection.

1.03
Voltage without DG (p.u)
1.02
Voltage with DG (P=0kw, Q = 150kVar)

1.01
Fig.VI Study during 6 P.M

Table.III to Table.VI illustrates the line loss and voltage

0.99 profile improvement during different intervals of time round
the clock. The study was done for 24 hours and only important
0.98 tabulation has been shown. Table.VII represents the complete
line loss savings (kWh) obtained during the period of 24
0.97 Hours.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

S t udy dur ing 6 am

Fig.III Study during 6 A.M

 Table. III Line Loss and DG Nodal Voltage on the feeder during
6 A.M
Real Reactive Line Loss Node Voltage at PV Table. VII Line Loss and DG Nodal Voltage on the feeder during 6 P.M
Power P Power Q kW location p.u
(from PV) (from PV)
S.NO TIME OF DAY Hourly Savings
kW kVar
AND NIGHT (kWh)
0 0 29.55 0.984 1 6 A.M 2
0 50 28.30 0.99
2 7 A.M 3.1
0 100 27.46 0.997
3 8 A.M 5
0 150 (B.V) 27.05 1.003
4 9 A.M 5.33
0 200 27.08 1.01
5 10 A.M 5.72
0 250 (max) 27.47 1.016
6 11 A.M 5.24
7 12 P.M 0
8 1 P.M 5.35
9 2 P.M 5.51
Table. IV Line Loss and DG Nodal Voltage on the feeder during 11 A.M 10 3 P.M 6.72
11 4 P.M 6.95
Real Power P Reactive Power Q Line Node Voltage at 12 5 P.M 6.37
(from PV) (from PV) kVar Loss kW PV location p.u 13 6 P.M 5.59
kW
14 7 P.M 5.48
0 0 69.49 0.92
15 8 P.M 4.73
205 0 51.19 0.942
16 9 P.M 4.69
205 50 48.95 0.949
17 10 P.M 3.87
205 100 47.12 0.956
18 11 P.M 3.07
205 143.09 (max) (B.V) 45.95 0.961
19 12 A.M 2.88
20 1 A.M 2.66
21 2 A.M 2.44
22 3 A.M 2.22
Table. V Line Loss and DG Nodal Voltage on the feeder during 12 A.M 23 4 A.M 2.19
24 5 A.M 2.1
Real Power P Reactive Power Q Line Node Voltage at
(from PV) (from PV) kVar Loss kW PV location p.u
kW
0 0 75.54 0.911
150 0 60.27 0.928 6 A.M
150 50 57.84 0.935 7
5 A.M 7 A.M
150 100 55.93 0.941 4 A.M 8 A.M
6
150 150 54.52 0.948
3 A.M 9 A.M
150 200 (max) (B.V) 53.55 0.954 5
2 A.M
4 10 A.M

Table. VI Line Loss and DG Nodal Voltage on the feeder during 6 P.M
3
1 A.M 2 11 A.M
Real Power P Reactive Power Q Line Node Voltage at 1
(from PV) (from PV) kVar Loss kW PV location p.u
kW 12 A.M 0 12 P.M

0 0 65.94 0.924
0 50 63.89 0.931 11 P.M 1 P.M
0 100 62.33 0.938
0 150 61.19 0.945
10 P.M 2 P.M
0 200 60.51 0.951
0 225 60.38 0.955
0 250 (max) (B.V) 60.35 0.958 9 P.M 3 P.M

8 P.M 4 P.M
7 P.M 5 P.M
Total Line Loss
6 P.M
The results for round clock are presented completely in Savings for 24 hours
Table.VII and it could be observed that the Total Line loss (kWh)
savings obtained over a period during Day and Night for 24 Fig.VII Line Loss Savings for 24 Hours (kWh)
hours is 100.53 kWh/day. The total savings calculated for one
month is 3.0159 MWh/month. The corresponding Line Loss
Savings for 24 Hours (kWh) is shown in Fig. VII.
 VI. CONCLUSION [17] Shriram. S. Rangarajan, Sreejit.S, S.P.Sabberwal “Cost Estimation and
Recovery Analysis of a PV Solar Farm Utilized Round the Clock”, 2013
This paper presents the Integration of Distributed Generation Unit IEEE International Global Humanitarian Technology Conference
in a Distribution Network and the impact on Network (GHTC), August 23-24th, 2013, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
Resonances, Line Losses and Voltage Profile Improvement.
[18] Gopiya Naik, D.K. Khatod, M.P. Sharma, “Optimal Allocation of
Distributed generation brings a lot of benefits in terms of Green Distributed Generation in Distribution System for Loss
Energy and other factors like Voltage Profile Improvement and Reduction”,IACSIT Coimbatore Conferences IPCSIT vol. 28 (2012),
Line Loss Reduction. But before the Integration of a DG Unit, a IACSIT Press, Singapore
careful assessment of Network Resonances and Harmonic [19] A. F. A. Kadir, A. Mohamed, H. Shareef, M.Z.C. Wanik, “Impact of
Analysis should also be carried out. Multiple Inverter Based Distributed Generation Units on Harmonic
Resonance”, European Association for the Development of Renewable
Energies, Environment and Power Quality (EA4EPQ), International
VII. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Conference on Renewable Energies and Power Quality (ICREPQ’12)
Santiago de Compostela (Spain), 28th to 30th March, 2012
.
The support from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT, India)
is gratefully acknowledged. A Special thanks to Dr. Partha
Sarathi Mallick, Dean of Electrical Engineering.

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