Grid impacts and mitigation measures for increased PV penetration levels using advanced PV inverter regulation

As part of the Renewable Systems Interconnection (RSI), exploring the impact of high levels of PV penetration on standard utility system planning methodologies is critical. In this paper, in order to evaluate the potential impacts on representative distribution feeders for a south-eastern utility that is facing the interconnection of increasing levels of Photovoltaic (PV) generation; detailed steady-state and dynamic modeling and simulation of the integrated systems are performed. The study was conducted on two representative feeders: an almost exclusively residential feeder, and a predominantly rural feeder. Multiple PV penetration levels based on Spring loading were considered: 33.3% and 75% of total feeder loading, and 75% of total connected capacity as extreme case. Steady-state and dynamic analyses were performed. Procedures used to evaluate these impacts and results and observations are discussed. Moreover, possible impact mitigation strategies and evaluation of PV inverter controllers for mitigating the negative impacts are assessed.