The increased active power generation due to increased photovoltaic (PV) installations leads to voltage rise especially in the low voltage networks (LV) and can exceed the limits imposed by the grid codes (GCs). Therefore, the PV capacity is limited and further investments in the network are needed.
The project goal is to analyze and improve the voltage regulation methods for grid connected PV inverters proposed by the new German grid code. The support strategies based on reactive power (cosφ(P) and Q(U)) were modeled and simulated by performing load flow analysis on a typical LV distribution network.
An optimized voltage regulation method has been developed which minimizes the reactive power consumption using coordinated control. The Ethernet communication IEC 61850 based on server/ client architecture was used to exchange information between PVs and master controller. A laboratory setup has been developed for the experimental validation of IEC 61850.