Opportunity for synchrophasors in monitoring sources of renewable energy integrated into distribution networks
Abstract
Synchrophasor measurements have traditionally been reserved for monitoring the operation
of transmission systems. This technology enabled direct supervision over transmission
system operation without any complex estimation modelling. As a result, system
operators could better manage the operational stability in transmission systems.
With significant developments occurring in distributions networks, specifically the integration
of renewable power plants (RPPs), synchrophasor monitoring at distribution
level have become of interest. Distribution network operation generally have smaller
voltage phase angle di erences, which would require higher metrological capabilities in
synchrophasors.
The concept of high-precision synchrophasor measurements with time synchronisation
accuracies better than a -second is known as a micro-synchrophasor. High-resolution
recording capabilities of micro-synchrophasors enable the detection of voltage phase angle
o sets between two locations at fractions of a degree. This research demonstrates the
usefulness of the micro-synchrophasor to quantify the interaction between a PV power
plant and the distribution network it integrates with, which would provide a better understanding
on the impacts of RPPs on distribution networks.
The metrological capabilities of the recording instruments used in this research were first
tested and verified for micro-synchrophasor level recordings. During the tests, the practical
viability of micro-synchrophasor measurements were also validated. After the tests,
micro-synchrophasor field recordings were performed at a 75 MW PV power plant feeding
into a kV distribution grid. The field data was then used to visualise the steady-state
and voltage stability levels between the PV plant and upstream distribution station over a
period of 24-hours.
Results were analysed to study the impact of a RPP integrated onto a distribution network,
which demonstrated the opportunity for micro-synchrophasors to monitor renewable energy
sources integrated in distribution networks.
Collections
- Engineering [1403]