A method to visualize interaction of distributed generation and feeders´ voltage profiles

Due to the increasing environmental concerns, recently there has been much interest in integrating Distributed Generation (DG) into distribution systems. Despite providing extra sources of both power and voltage support, DG in distribution systems, which conventionally are not designed for the connection of generators, may lead to problematic voltage levels that can cause equipment damage on both system and user sides. For this reason, interaction of DG and feeder´s steady-state voltage has been widely studied in previous research. However, existing methods analyzing feeders´ voltage profiles have the deficiency of either requiring complicated mathematical models and having many assumptions, or performing qualitative analyses which generate results not sufficiently precise. This paper proposes a method to visualize the interaction of DGs and feeders´ voltage profiles. Compared to the existing studies, the proposed method reduces presumptions and mathematical complexity, and can be applied to various situations. Moreover, an Area Criterion, through which overvoltage can be easily detected, is derived from the proposed method.