Monte Carlo-based stochastic analysis results for coordination of single-phase rooftop PVs in low voltage residential networks

Installation of single-phase rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems in low voltage (LV) residential feeders without controlling their ratings and locations may deteriorate the overall grid performance including reversed power flows, high losses and unacceptable voltage profiles. Therefore, in recent years the utilities have adopted limitations on the maximum allowable number of PVs in LV networks. To overcome these issues, this paper investigates the performance of a communication-based and intelligent voltage profile regulating technique under a Monte Carlo-based stochastic framework. This technique is applicable for LV residential feeders with single-phase rooftop PVs and relies on the availability of smart meters along the LV feeder to transmit phase voltage measurements to the controllers of the PV inverters. The objective of the voltage regulation technique is to minimize voltage unbalance along the feeder. The effectiveness of the voltage regulation technique are investigated in this paper by the help of MATLAB-based simulation studies