On the effects of monitoring and control settings on voltage control in PV-rich LV networks

Adopting on-load tap changer (OLTC)-fitted transformers in low voltage (LV) networks can be a potential solution to counteract voltage rise caused by high penetrations of residential photovoltaic (PV) systems. To efficiently control the OLTC network monitoring might be considered. This work assesses the performance of a proposed OLTC control logic considering different remote monitoring schemes and control cycles. A Monte Carlo-based time-series analysis is applied to a real UK residential LV network considering different uneven PV penetrations per feeder. Results show that the adoption of monitoring only at the end of each feeder can provide a satisfactory performance of customer voltages (BS EN50160 compliant). Additionally, the proposed control logic with a 30-minute control cycle can reduce the number of tap changes whilst producing a good voltage performance. The results can help distribution network operators determining the most adequate control approaches for OLTC-fitted transformers in future LV networks.