Photovoltaics Integration in Distributed Power Systems (PVinPS)

The aim of proposed research was to examine the methods and technologies for optimal control of electrical distribution low voltage (LV) networks with high density of renewable energy sources, focusing on the photovoltaic (PV) installations integration. The applicants have identified the following technical areas to improve the sustainable development of distribution grids to meet the current challenges of the energy transition: 

• PV installations capability for detection of unintentional islanding operation.  
• The ancillary services provided by individual PV inverters for voltage regulation, system protection and overall grid stability,  

In the scope of this work, the ability to meet the above-mentioned challenges, eight PV inverters (commercial products available on the commercial European market) were verified, by numerous laboratory tests. The laboratory works were conducted in 09-13.05.2022 and 28.03.2022 in Smartest Laboratory of Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT).  

As a result of the conducted research, the ability of the tested devices to detect unintentional island operation was demonstrated, and precise graphs and calculations were provided documenting the performance and duration from the appearance of island operation to switching off the inverters. Also, static characteristics, such us P(f), Q(U) and P(U) of a selected PV inverter are presented.  

Due to the large amount of obtained measurement data, the report presents only selected, representative results that allow to define the most important conclusions from the conducted research. The collected measurement database covers a wider spectrum of PV inverters configurations.