Increasing photovoltaics grid penetration in urban areas through active distribution systems: First large scale demonstration

MetaPV is the first project world-wide that will demonstrate the provision of electrical benefits from photovoltaics (PV) on a large scale, showing the way toward cities powered by renewable energy sources. Additional benefits for active grid support from PV will be demonstrated at two sites: a residential/urban area of 128 households with 4 kWp each, and an industrial zone of 31 PV systems with 200 kWp each in Limburg, Belgium. The project is demonstrating enhanced control capacities implemented into PV inverters, including active voltage control, low-voltage ride-through capability, autonomous grid operation, and interaction of distribution system control with PV systems. A detailed technical and financial assessment of the additional benefits from PV is also part of the project. The role of PV in an area fully supplied by renewable sources is to be assessed. Smart control should enable an increase of the market PV penetration in existing grids and promote the use of more renewable energy sources in cities and industries at minimum additional investment costs. The MetaPV project is accepted for funding by the European Commission in the 7th Framework Programme. It started in October 2009 and lasts to March 2014. The consortium consists of six partners from four EU countries.