In an era where distributed energy resources (DERs) are becoming increasingly prevalent, managing voltage in power distribution systems is more critical than ever. A recent study led by Madhura Sondharangalla from the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering at Arizona State University sheds light on a novel approach to voltage management that could revolutionize how we integrate renewable energy sources into our electrical grids.
The research introduces a voltage-power factor (Volt-PF) control mode, which offers a significant improvement over the traditional voltage-reactive power (Volt-VAr) control method. The conventional approach has a fundamental flaw: it bases reactive power support solely on terminal voltage, disregarding the active power output of DERs. This can lead to an inequitable distribution of reactive power responsibilities among DERs, particularly disadvantaging those generating less active power. “What we found was that DERs contributing less to overvoltage issues were often asked to shoulder an unfair share of the reactive power burden,” Sondharangalla explains.
In contrast, the Volt-PF control mode addresses this imbalance by linking reactive power support to both the voltage and the active power output of the DERs. This ensures that all DERs can operate at a high power factor, ideally between 0.9 and 1, promoting efficiency and reducing the risk of overloading any single resource. The implications of this research are profound, especially as the energy sector faces the challenge of integrating more renewable sources like solar and wind into the grid. With DER penetration exceeding 200% in the study’s simulations, the proposed method demonstrates its efficacy in real-world scenarios, paving the way for a more equitable and stable energy distribution system.
The research was validated through extensive simulations on a large-scale feeder network, encompassing over 8,000 nodes. This scale of testing not only underscores the robustness of the proposed method but also highlights its potential for commercial application. As energy providers look to implement new technologies, the ability to enhance voltage regulation while ensuring fair resource allocation could lead to significant cost savings and improved grid reliability.
Sondharangalla’s work is a timely contribution to the ongoing discourse on how to effectively manage the increasing complexity of energy distribution networks. As she notes, “The Volt-PF control mode could be a game changer in how we approach voltage management in the context of high DER penetration.”
With the energy landscape rapidly evolving, this research published in ‘IEEE Access’—translated as ‘IEEE Access’—could shape future developments in distributed control and reactive power management, steering the sector towards a more sustainable and efficient future. The transition to a smarter grid is not just a technological challenge; it requires innovative thinking and fair solutions that benefit all stakeholders involved.