PV and EV Capabilities for Improving Technical Conditions in Active Distribution Network

Today many end-users have installed photovoltaic (PV) systems on their rooftops and exceedingly own electric vehicles (EVs). Integrating PV systems and EVs can harm technical conditions in distribution networks (DNs). Since both are inverter-based sources they have the capability of active power curtailment (APC) and reactive power control (RPC) and can provide ancillary service to the distribution system operator (DSO). In line with that, this paper proposes an optimal power flow (OPF) based model to improve technical conditions considering the capabilities of PV and EV inverters. The optimization problem is defined as nonlinear programming (NLP) due to full AC power flows and is solved with a co-simulation optimization approach. The effectiveness of the proposed model is tested through several case studies over low-voltage DN created according to real-life examples. Preliminary results suggest the significant importance of ancillary services provided by PV and EV inverters for improving DN operation.