Authors copy - Capability Chart for Distributed Reactive Power Resources.pdf (478.66 kB)
Capability Chart for Distributed Reactive Power Resources
journal contribution
posted on 2017-10-27, 16:43 authored by Paul CuffePaul Cuffe, Andrew Keane, Paul SmithAuthor's copy of this paper.
Abstract:
Abstract:
The
ubiquity of synchronous generation should not be assumed in highly
renewable power systems. Various problems may consequently arise, not
least of which are the difficulties entailed in maintaining regional
reactive power balance. Offering a potential solution to such problems,
modern renewable generator technologies offer controllable reactive
power resources. As many of these generators will be embedded in
distribution networks, their incorporation into transmission system
operational and planning activities appears challenging. An extension of
the capability chart concept offers insight here: for a given active
power exchange between the transmission system and a distribution
network section, the range of controllable reactive power typically
available is of interest. This aggregate capability depends on the
innate machine capabilities of the distributed generators and on the
prevailing conditions within the distribution network. Novel
optimisation techniques are useful in addressing the latter point,
offering a means to identify the combination of power flow profiles
within the distribution system most restrictive to reactive power
provision. The capability chart thus derived gives the dependable range
of reactive power available, under the assumption that each generator is
operated to locally maximize its own reactive power contribution. Such a
description can be applied in transmission system planning or to
quantify the effects of modifications to the distribution system.