Using Reactive Power To Prevent Excessive Rise In Feeder Voltage Due To Grid-Connected PV Generation

The introduction of embedded generation within an electrical network alters the way a distribution system operates. A typical implementation of embedded generation will inject power back into the network at a unity power factor. In this project the effects of altering the injection power factor has been investigated for the purpose of mitigating power quality issues, both existing and introduced through embedded generation. To investigate the effect of voltage rise due to embedded generation, a solar farm was selected as a site for analysis. The site selected was Majura solar farm located in the Majura district of Canberra ACT. The site was selected due to known voltage issues on the connected feeder (Mackenzie feeder) and availability of site data. Site information and data was provided by the local distribution company Evoenergy. By creation of a mathematical network model of MSF and the Mackenzie feeder, the feeder voltage along the distribution line was simulated for an 8 month period. Both the Gauss-Seidel and Newton-Raphson load flow analysis methods were used for simulation in MATLAB. The analysis was modified to show the effects of reactive power being sourced and absorbed at MSF. The results showed that for MSF a power factor of 0.95 lagging could be used in the inverters during generation to mitigate the voltage rise created from exporting power back up the feeder