Determination of maximum PV solar system connectivity in a utility distribution feeder

This paper presents a study for determining the maximum amount of PV solar generation that can be connected in a 27.6 kV feeder of a distribution utility - London Hydro. Various factors such as steady state voltage rise, Temporary Over Voltage (TOV), short circuit current and harmonic contributions, that could potentially constrain DG connectivity are investigated. Load flow studies with PSS/E and electromagnetic transient simulation studies with EMTDC/PSCAD software are utilized for performing the above investigations. It is shown that harmonic amplification due to network resonance could potentially be the limiting factor for PV solar connectivity in this distribution feeder. This paper also makes a case that the conventional Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) studies for DG connections need to be made broader to include such harmonic aspects.