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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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Voltage Regulation in Electric Distribution Grid Integrated with Distributed Energy Resources

Author

Term

4. term

Publication year

2021

Submitted on

Abstract

This thesis examines how to maintain voltage regulation in medium-voltage distribution grids as the share of renewable energy and other distributed energy resources (DERs) grows, while the uptake of electric vehicles increases demand. Against the backdrop of Denmark’s 2050 fossil-free ambition, the study investigates combining conventional on-load tap changers (OLTC) with demand-side flexibility (notably flexible EV charging) and energy storage systems (ESS) to address voltage challenges. The approach includes literature review and simulations of a medium-voltage grid under current and future higher-renewables scenarios, assessing voltage variations, the effect of OLTC, introducing EVs first as uncontrollable loads and then as controllable flexible demand, and integrating ESS. It also explores transmission–distribution operator (TSO–DSO) coordination for voltage and frequency support. The simulations indicate that increased renewable capacity can cause over-voltages in MV grids, OLTC provides baseline voltage support, and flexible EV charging together with ESS can further reinforce voltage regulation. Finally, the work suggests that enhanced TSO–DSO coordination can enable DSOs to provide voltage and frequency support to the transmission grid within system constraints.

Denne afhandling adresserer, hvordan spændingsregulering i mellemspændingsfordelingsnet kan sikres, når integrationen af vedvarende energi og andre distribuerede energiresurser (DER) stiger, samtidig med at elbilers udbredelse øger belastningen. Med udgangspunkt i den danske målsætning om et fossilfrit energisystem i 2050 undersøges brugen af traditionelle on-load tap changers (OLTC) i kombination med efterspørgselsfleksibilitet (især fleksibel elbilopladning) og energilagringssystemer (ESS) for at håndtere spændingsudfordringer. Metodisk bygger arbejdet på litteraturstudier og simulerede scenarier i et mellemspændingsnet for både en eksisterende situation og en fremtid med højere VE-kapacitet, herunder analyser af spændingsvariationer, effekten af OLTC, introduktion af elbiler først som ukontrollerede og siden som kontrollerbare fleksible belastninger samt integration af ESS. Desuden belyses samspillet mellem transmissions- og distributionssystemoperatører (TSO–DSO) med henblik på spændings- og frekvensstøtte. Simulationerne indikerer, at øget VE-kapacitet kan skabe overspænding i MV-net, at OLTC giver grundlæggende spændingsstøtte, og at fleksibel elbilopladning og ESS kan styrke spændingsreguleringen yderligere. Endelig peger studiet på, at et styrket TSO–DSO-samarbejde kan gøre det muligt for DSO at yde spændings- og frekvensstøtte til transmissionsnettet inden for net- og driftsmæssige begrænsninger.

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