In the heart of Malaysia’s rural landscapes, a quiet revolution is taking place—one that could reshape how we integrate solar power into our grids. A recent study led by Mohammad Reza Maghami from the Strategic Research Institute (SRI) at the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) has uncovered a promising strategy to stabilize voltage in distribution networks heavily reliant on photovoltaic (PV) systems. Published in the journal “Technologies,” the research offers a practical solution to a pressing challenge in the energy sector: managing voltage stability in grids with high PV penetration.
The study focuses on a typical Malaysian medium-voltage distribution network, comprising 110 nodes connected via eight feeders to a pair of 132/11 kV, 15 MVA transformers. Each node is equipped with a 100 kW PV system, enabling scenarios with up to 100% PV penetration. The research investigates the impact of Time-of-Use (TOU) scheduling and battery energy storage systems (BESS) on voltage stability, particularly during low-load night hours when voltage violations are most likely to occur.
“Our goal was to find a scalable and practical solution to support large-scale PV integration in dense rural grids,” Maghami explains. “We wanted to address the specific operational characteristics of Malaysian networks, which differ from commonly studied IEEE test systems.”
The research employs dynamic simulations using DIgSILENT PowerFactory under worst-case conditions—no load and peak load—to test the effectiveness of a hybrid mitigation strategy combining TOU-based load shifting and BESS. The results are compelling: at 100% PV penetration, TOU or BESS alone are insufficient to fully mitigate voltage drops. However, a hybrid application of 0.4 MWh BESS with 20% TOU load shifting eliminates voltage violations across all nodes, raising the minimum voltage from 0.924 p.u. to 0.951 p.u. while reducing active power losses and grid dependency.
“This hybrid approach not only stabilizes the voltage but also reduces the overall dependency on the grid, making the system more resilient and efficient,” Maghami notes.
The study also reveals that a 60% PV penetration can be supported reliably using only 0.4 MWh of BESS and 10% TOU. Beyond this threshold, the hybrid mitigation strategy becomes essential to maintain stability. The research provides practical insights into voltage stabilization, supported by detailed sensitivity analysis across PV penetration levels.
The implications for the energy sector are significant. As the world moves towards renewable energy sources, integrating high levels of PV into existing grids presents both opportunities and challenges. This study offers a scalable approach to enable large-scale PV integration in rural grids, addressing a critical research gap by using real local data to propose and validate practical voltage mitigation strategies.
The findings could shape future developments in the field, encouraging energy providers and grid operators to adopt hybrid mitigation strategies. By combining TOU scheduling and BESS, they can enhance voltage stability, reduce power losses, and minimize grid dependency. This approach not only supports the integration of renewable energy but also contributes to the overall resilience and efficiency of the grid.
As Mohammad Reza Maghami and his team continue to explore the potential of this hybrid strategy, the energy sector stands to benefit from a more stable, efficient, and sustainable future. The research published in “Technologies” serves as a beacon, guiding the way towards a cleaner, more reliable energy landscape.