Abstract
Distributed energy (DE) resources are power sources
located near load centers and equipped with power electronics
converters to interface with the grid, therefore it is feasible for
DE to provide reactive power (along with active power) locally
for dynamic voltage regulation. In this paper, a synchronous
condenser and a microturbine with an inverter interface are
implemented in parallel in a distribution system to regulate the
local voltage. Developed voltage control schemes for the
inverter and the synchronous condenser are presented.
Experimental results show that both the inverter and the
synchronous condenser can regulate the local voltage
instantaneously although the dynamic response of the inverter
is much faster than the synchronous condenser. In a system
with multiple DEs performing local voltage regulation, the
interaction between the DEs is studied. The simulation results
show the relationship between the voltages in the system and
the reactive power required for the voltage regulation. Also,
integrated voltage regulation (multiple DEs performing voltage
regulation) can increase the voltage regulation capability of
DEs and reduce the capital and operating costs.
