Distributed Voltage Control of Active MV Distribution Networks in the Presence of High PV Penetration

A distributed voltage control scheme for Medium Voltage (MV) distribution networks is proposed. The proposed scheme requires minimal information exchange between the nearby existing voltage control devices like On Load Tap Changer (OLTC), capacitor banks, etc. and three-phase smart inverters that may be connected at the far end of the line (EOL) in high PV penetration scenarios. A leading and lagging power factor (PF)-based algorithm is developed to properly coordinate these multiple inverters. Advanced Volt-Var characteristics of the smart inverter equipped with extended reactive power reserve is used to mitigate the voltage rise issue. A theoretical framework is also developed for setting the inverter control parameters. Simulation results from a modified IEEE 13 bus test system while using real field data verify the effectiveness of the proposed control method.