Simulation of Low Voltage Distribution Network Threshold for PV Rooftop Penetration

Abstract

The rapid increases of photovoltaic (PV) rooftop on residential houses in low voltage (LV) distribution network cause several impacts in Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA)’s distribution network. Voltage profile is one of the most important technical factors that the utility has to maintain within the proper limit. This research investigates the impacts of PV rooftop on low voltage distribution network complying with PEA’s regulation on power network system interconnection code B.E.2016. The scenarios comprising seasonal and working periods are considered. The studied criteria are divided into 3 cases; 1) the connection of PV rooftop at 15% of distribution transformer capacity 2) the connection of PV rooftop at 100% of transformer capacity 3) the increase of PV rooftop causing voltage profile up to 1.10 p.u. The simulation is studied in the DIgSILENT power factory with DPL script and Python programming language due to the diverse criteria. The results show that the limit of regulation is able to control the voltage profile within the operation range. Moreover, the low voltage distribution network threshold is about 293.75% of the distribution transformer capacity that PV rooftop causes the voltage level reaching to the limit. However, the result should be considered before reference, because this research focuses on the voltage profile, not others significant issues.