Hosting capacity of large scale PV power station in future distribution networks

Abstract

Configuration of distribution network which has a maximum hosting capacity of large scale PV power station has been investigated. The hosting capacity is expressed by the maximum capacity of PV power station interconnected to the distribution network without power quality deterioration such as violations of voltage constraint and thermal constraint of distribution feeder. Countermeasures such as replacement by a larger conductor size of distribution feeder, application of var compensator and upgrade of voltage level will improve the hosting capacity. The hosting capacity of 17-case distribution networks which are expressed by combination of the countermeasures was obtained by the power flow calculations. It was found that the upgrade of voltage level in part of the distribution network is useful for expanding the capacity of PV power station and reducing the distribution power loss.