A Monte Carlo-based approach to maximize PV generation hosting capacity in an unbalanced brazilian distribution network

Abstract

In the last years the participation of distributed generation in distribution grids has increased expressively. In this scenario, the increasing penetration of PV generation in Brazilian distribution networks has brought a set of operational, safety, and compliance challenges. Thus, hosting capacity assessment studies are necessary to evaluate the impacts of these systems on the operational states of electrical networks. However, in the scientific literature, despite the growing interest in the subject, the effects of voltage unbalances have not been explored in detail, lacking lessons learned and definitions of best practices. This paper proposes a Stochastic TemporalSeries Algorithm that evaluates the effects of phase unbalance influence in the hosting capacity of a real brazilian distribution system using Monte Carlo method to consider generation and load intermittency. The algorithm compared the results with the normative limits for overvoltage and lines and transformers overloads. The results show that each phase has a different sensibility to the PV connection, rising the importance of unbalanced studies. Not so, the mutual effects must be considered once the PV penetration in one phase impacted the metrics of the others. Also, concentrated scenarios have higher impacts on line loadings when compared to the balanced distributed scenario.