Technical Solutions for the increased integration of

renewable generation into LV- and MV grid

structures
Dr.Uwe Kaltenborn Dr. Manuel Sojer Ajay Krishnan N Dr. Krishna Vasudevan Anoop Eluvathingal
Corporate Technology Power Quality Corporate Technology Department of Electrical Engg Department of Electrical Engg
Reinhausen Group Reinhausen Group Reinhausen Group Indian Institute of Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras Technology, Madras
Germany Germany Germany India India
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Abstract— Integration of renewable energy sources into Traditional remedies to ensure stables voltages despite a
distribution grids might lead to a volatile energy infeed. To cope growing proportion of renewables are grid expansion
with this challenge, measures are needed to ensure voltage measures like deploying additional cables or overhead lines.
stability in regional grid sections. Here voltage band violations Common to all these traditional remedies is that they are quite
are the most frequent problem. In line with the IS 12360 costly.
standard, distribution network operators are required to
In this regard a simple and applicable solution can be found in
maintain the voltage within a band of ±10% of the rated voltage.
The more renewables are connected to the grid section, the more Voltage Regulating Distribution Transformers (VRDT) with
challenging this task becomes. Traditional remedies to ensure on-load-tap-changers (OLTC). The concept is derived from
stable voltages, despite a growing proportion of renewables, are power transformers utilizing on-load tap-changers (Figure 2).
grid expansion measures like deploying additional cables or Therefore VRDTs contain an actuator to dynamically control
overhead lines. However, these traditional remedies are not quite the transmission ratio of the transformer and thus the voltage.
economical or cannot be executed in due time. In this regard, a The other key component is a controller which includes the
simple and applicable solution can be found in a Voltage necessary sensors to estimate the grid status and a logic unit to
Regulating Distribution Transformers (VRDT) with on-load-tap- command the actuator. The logic unit obtains important
changers (OLTC).
operating information from the sensors located within the
The paper describes the latest technologies of VRDTs for
dynamically controlling the transmission ratio of the transformer station on the bus bar or as relocated sensors at critical points
and hence, the voltage. In addition, the necessary sensors and in the network.
algorithm are described to obtain the necessary operating
information.
Furthermore, four applications are discussed for the DSO
utilization of VRDTs for voltage control: at secondary
substations, on secondary MV sections, in primary distribution
areas and at grid coupling points of large industrial consumers.
In co-operation with IITM, a showcase for a typical network
segment was defined and analyzed. Based on this analysis, the
headroom for additional integration of renewable generation was
estimated. Also, the situation of the grid section is evaluated
before and after the utilization of a VRDT.

Keywords—Voltage regulating distribution transformer, On load

tap changers, integration of renewables
Figure 1: Voltage band in accordance with IS 12360
I. INTRODUCTION
II. TECHNICAL CONCEPT OF AN OLTC FOR VRDT
The integration of renewable energy sources to distribution
grids might lead to a volatile energy infeed. To cope with this The integration of renewables has brought in a lot of
challenge, measures are needed to ensure voltage stability in innovations in the concept of voltage regulation at the
regional grid sections. distribution grid. Figure 3 shows the OLTC for VRDT type
During times with a high amount of renewable infeed to the ECOTAP VPD, The compact dimensions permit installation
distribution network new challenges arise. Voltage band in virtually any power rating class of distribution transformers
violations are the most frequent problem. In line with the IS without any major changes to the footprint. The proven
12360 standard, distribution network operators are required to electro-mechanical principle of MR's specific vacuum
maintain a voltage within a band of ±10 % of the rated technology ensures stable and reliable operation for decades
voltage. The more renewables are connected to the grid without the need to service the primary equipment. The high-
section the more challenging this task becomes (Fig. 1). speed resistor-type tap-changer principle with which
manufacturers and operators have been familiar for decades
allows them to tap into their own experience. The key 2.2. Selector module
components for both these types are depicted in Table 1 below
and described in the subsequent paragraphs. The robust mechanics permit 500,000 switching operations
without maintenance and thereby exceed the usual life of a
corresponding distribution transformer. 9 tap positions in the
selector module ensure a large regulating range with
sufficiently fine steps between the tap changes. As the
operator can freely choose the mid position, the regulation
range can be easily adapted to it. Since it can be used in
selected synthetic and natural esters, operation in applications
with stringent environmental compatibility and thermal
demand requirements is also ensured.

Table 1: OLTC key components in ECOTAP VPD

ECOTAP VPD
Switching unit

Figure 2: Concept of a VRDT

Selector module

Drive unit

Control and
voltage regulation
Figure 3: OLTC for VRDT - ECOTAP VPD unit

2.1. Switching unit

The function of the tap changer is to set the desired tap of the
regulating winding under load conditions. When switching
from one current carrying tap to the next, one step of the
regulating winding is temporarily bridged by resistors, so that
the switching operation can be performed under full load
without interrupting the power flow.

The switching unit is operated by vacuum interrupters. The 2.3. Drive unit
vacuum interrupter contains the switching arc inside its unit,
which prevents the transformer oil from being contaminated In ECOTAP VPD, up to 20 tap-change operations per minute
and ensure that the primary equipment is zero-maintenance. A enable quick responses to changing grid situations.
step voltage of up to 825 V, highest voltage for equipment of Comprehensive safety functions and an electrical energy
36 kV, and switchable currents of up to 30 A / 100 A enable a accumulator ensure that once tap-change operations are started
wide range of use. The high speed resistor type tap changer they are reliably completed even if all supply power is lost.
principle with regulation on the high voltage side prevents The drive can be used in harsh environmental conditions
noticeable contributions to transformer losses. thanks to IP54 degree of protection.
 2.4. Control and voltage regulation unit

The control unit features compactness and robustness. As it is

just 10 cm wide and 35 cm tall, by using an adapter it can be
installed on the mounting rail of an existing control cabinet or
installation to save space. A wide temperature range from -
25°C to 70° C and high EMC disturbance level enables a
design for a lifetime of 20 years. It operates in auto mode with
single-phase voltage regulation algorithm and can be directly
parameterized without the need for additional programming
devices like a laptop. The unit can be extended with additional
Figure 4: Regulation algorithm for an OLTC for VRDT
modules like remote communication, customer specific
algorithms, data logging etc.
The ECOTAP VPD has a communication module via IV. APPLICATION SHOWCASES OF VRDT’S IN THE
SCADA protocol (IEC61850, IEC60870-5-101 / 103, GRID
MODBUS RTU, etc.).
4.1 Selective use of VRDTs with a focus on the low-voltage
Table 2: Technical parameters ECOTAP VPD
grid
On Load Tap ECOTAP VPD
Changer The scope of this application cover grids, where there is a risk
Number of phases 3 of the voltage band being infringed at the medium voltage
level by huge fluctuations in feed-in (e.g. wind turbines) or
Application At any point in the winding
Transformer types Free breathing with oil conservator, totally high irregular industrial demand. In addition this applications
permitted oil filled hermetic transformers, transformers suits also grids where there is a risk of the voltage band being
with gas cushion infringed at the low voltage level by volatile feed-in (e.g. large
Maximum rated 100A roof-mounted systems) or new kinds of consumers (e.g. E-
through current
Rated duration of 2s
mobility, heat pumps).
short circuits After a network analysis, those grid nodes will be identified,
Maximum rated step 825 V where the utilization of VRDTs is most effective (Fig. 5).
voltage
Maximum number 9 The following benefits can be achieved:
of operating
positions  Greater potential for feed-in and demand to be
Highest voltage for 36 kV integrated throughout the low-voltage grid
equipment  Avoidance or postponement of grid reinforcement
Rated frequency 50/60 Hz
measures in the low-voltage grid (running cables in
Maximum number 500,000
of operations parallel, locating new secondary substations, etc.)
 Increased planning certainty for all feeders of the
secondary substation affected due to more potential
III. OPERATION OF VRDT’S for integration

The basic principle of the operation of a VRDT is shown in

Fig. 4. Key requirement is the measurement of the busbar
voltage. These values will be compared with the given voltage
band. In case that the allowed voltage band will be infringed, a
tap change operation will be initiated after a defined delay
time. In case that a single operation is not sufficient, and the
voltage is significant outside the voltage band (infringement of
the high-speed threshold) a high speed operation without any
delay time will be executed. Based on the long lasting field
experience for specific applications like industrial grids and
grids with a high penetration of renewables, more complex
regulation algorithms can be retrofitted to any of the
regulation units.
Figure 5: Selective use of VRDTs with a focus on the low-
voltage grid
4.2 Feeder-based use of VRDTs with a focus on the medium- That will lead to the following benefits:
voltage grid  Greater potential for feed-in and demand to be
integrated into the high- and medium-voltage grid
In case of a risk of voltage bands being infringed in a larger and the underlying low-voltage grids
interconnected area at the medium voltage level, e.g. at the  Avoidance or postponement of large-scale grid
end of feeders, due to large fluctuating or constant feed-in reinforcement measures in the medium-voltage grid
and/or consumers in the vicinity of the stations in question, or construction of a primary substation
these feeders need to be identified. Based on the grid planning  Avoidance or postponement of replacement of a
these feeders might be already identified before they are HV/MV transformer with a transformer with a
installed. In such cases critical feeders should be connected different transmission ratio or a transformer with a
via a VRDT. In case the high fluctuation is caused by tap changer
structural changes of the consumers and producers on the
feeder, a replacement of the DT by a VRDT is recommended.
(Fig. 6) Doing so, the grid gains a greater potential for feed-in
and demand to be integrated into the medium-voltage grid and
the underlying low-voltage grids. Thus might lead to the
avoidance or postponement of grid reinforcement measures in
the medium-voltage grid (running cables in parallel).

4.3 Use in all parts of the grid of VRDTs with a focus on the
medium-voltage grid

In case of a situation where there is a risk of voltage bands

being infringed in a larger interconnected area at the medium
voltage level as a result of excessive voltages from the high
voltage level or feed-in connected directly to the primary
substation, which cannot be compensated for by the on-load
tap-changer on the HV/MV transformer. For the optimization
of the operation of such grid segments, the regulation Figure 7: Use in all parts of the grid of VRDTs with a focus on
algorithms of the VRDTs should be coordinated in such a the medium-voltage grid
way, that those VRDTs close to grid connection point will
V. APPLICATION SHOWCASE IN THE GRID
switch dependent of the grid situation and not on the effective
busbar voltage (Fig. 7).
In cooperation with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras
(IITM), a reference grid segment was identified and the
schematic sketch is as shown in Fig.8.

As shown in Fig. 8, the Grid Connection Points (CP) 1 to 5 in

the feeder covers different consumers as well as prosumers.
The technical parameters of the CPs are shown in Table 3.

Assuming a measured maximal volatility of 3% at the MV

power infeed, the utilization of a VRDT would enable the
following potential for additional power infeed into this grid
segment as mentioned in Table 4 & 5.

Figure 6: Feeder-based use of VRDTs with a focus on the

medium-voltage grid
 Table 4 shows that there is an increase or saturation of voltage
bandwidth reserves, when there is more generation capability
than the load demand at an increasing distance from the
regulated distribution transformer. Based on these
calculations, an increase of renewable generation in feeder by
28 % will be enabled by utilization of a VRDT (Table 5).

Table 5: Effect of VRDT utilization at the investigated Grid

segment

MV Grid
Parameters Feeder Way
Connection
Increase of Lower Voltage
30% -
Bandwidth Reserve
Increase of Upper Voltage
26% -
Bandwidth Reserve
Figure 8: Schematic sketch of reference grid
Reduction of Maximum
48 % 20 %
Table 3: Load parameters of grid connection points Voltage Variation

CP1 CP2 CP3 CP4 CP5

VI. CONCLUSION
Peak Load 50 40 35 20 25 The continuous increase of the infeed of renewable generation
power (kWp)
leads to significant voltage variations in the grid. To cope with
Cos 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 this challenge, several methods are available. Beside the very
phi expensive grid expansion, the utilization of a VRDT was
Infeed 50 45 40 35 40
discussed. By introducing the ECOTAP VPD to the
(kWp) distribution transformers, it shows the traditional method of
reliable tap changing operations along with the latest and most
Cos 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 advanced concepts suitable for the Indian grid. For the
phi
transformer itself virtually no changes in dimensions are
Actual Load 25 20 20 10 15 necessary. The VRDT can be applied in different ways to cope
Power (kWp) with the specific requirements of the DSOs. With three
Cos 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 generic showcases (selective use, feeder-centric use, grid
phi segment centric use) the application of the VRDT was
discussed. In cooperation with IITM a specific showcase from
Infeed 35 28 25 25 30
Chennai was investigated. After investigation the grid segment
(kWp)
the effect of the utilization of an VRDT was calculated.
Cos 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Finally it could be shown that the VRDT was able to increase
phi the headroom for additional infeed of renewable energy by
28%, without an expensive grid expansion.
Table 4: Headroom in % per connection point VII. REFERENCES

[1] IS 12360 “Voltage Bands for Electrical Installations

Parameters CP1 CP2 CP3 CP4 CP5
including preferred voltage and frequency”, Indian
Increase of Standard (Basic Electrotechnical Standards), 1988
Lower Voltage
45% 40% 26% 24% 23% [2] FNN-Hinweis “rONT – Einsatz in Netzplanung und
Bandwidth Netzbetrieb”, Berlin 2016 (VRDT – Utilization for
Reserve Gridplanning and Grid Operation)
Increase of [3] Power Engineers Handbook TNEB 2002 (Electrical
Upper Voltage 31% 23% 26% Characteristics of Overhead lines, S.Butterworth)
45% 32%
Bandwidth
Reserve