Optimal Decentralized Voltage Control for Distribution Systems With Inverter-Based Distributed Generators

TLDR

The growing penetration of distributed generation into distribution networks creates stability, protection, and voltage regulation challenges, making the development of effective control techniques essential for meeting power quality and reliability standards. This study proposes an optimized distributed control strategy that uses distribution network sensitivity analysis and decentralized reactive/active power regulation to keep voltages within limits while providing ancillary services. The approach employs sensitivity‑based decentralized control of reactive and active power, and its performance was evaluated through extensive simulations on a real medium‑voltage Italian distribution system. Simulation results confirm that the proposed control scheme maintains voltage compliance and reduces active power losses and reactive power exchange with the network.

Abstract

The increasing penetration of distributed generation (DG) power plants into distribution networks (DNs) causes various issues concerning, e.g., stability, protection equipment, and voltage regulation. Thus, the necessity to develop proper control techniques to allow power delivery to customers in compliance with power quality and reliability standards (PQR) has become a relevant issue in recent years. This paper proposes an optimized distributed control approach based on DN sensitivity analysis and on decentralized reactive/active power regulation capable of maintaining voltage levels within regulatory limits and to offer ancillary services to the DN, such as voltage regulation. At the same time, it tries to minimize DN active power losses and the reactive power exchanged with the DN by the DG units. The validation of the proposed control technique has been conducted through a several number of simulations on a real MV Italian distribution system.