Assessing the benefits of meshed operation of LV feeders with low carbon technologies

Significant penetrations of low carbon technologies in low voltage (LV) networks could result in voltage issues, thermal overloads of the lines, higher energy losses, etc. In this work, the meshed connection of LV feeders is investigated as one of the possible alternatives to minimise these impacts and, consequently, increase the corresponding hosting capacity. Two different technologies, photovoltaic panels (PV) and electric heat pumps (EHP) are studied for different penetration levels by using a real three-phase four-wire LV network in the North West of England. Profiles of loads, PV and EHP have a granularity of 30 minutes. Energy losses, voltage problems and thermal loading are studied. A Monte Carlo approach is considered in order to cater for the random nature of some parameters such as the location and size of low carbon technologies. Results for the studied LV network clearly indicate that meshed operation can indeed increase its ability to host higher penetrations of PV and EHP.