Voltage management on distribution networks with high PV penetrations — Purely Creative Solutions

Voltage management on distribution networks with high PV penetrations (265)

Peter Kilby 1
  1. Energex, Brisbane, Qld, Australia

Residential solar photovoltaic (PV) penetrations in Queensland are among the highest in the world. Reverse power flows are now being observed on some 11kV feeders and 33/11kV zone substations. Energex began adjusting Line Drop Compensation (LDC) in 2015 to compensate and is also trialing different Step Voltage Regulator (SVR) control modes to offset voltage rise associated with reverse flows from high penetrations of distributed PV. Queensland is now transitioning from the 240V standard to the 230V standard which should provide more head room on the LV network. In conjunction with more advanced response modes from inverters, customer demand response and new LV grid technologies, distribution networks have a range of options available to support increasing Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) on the grid edge.