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There is an increasing trend among customers of an electrical distribution utility to adopt grid-tied solar photovoltaic systems. This shift offers multiple benefits to consumers, including lower monthly electricity bills and a contribution to the development of green energy. For the electrical distribution utility, various impacts may arise due to varying levels of solar energy penetration. This study investigates the effects of integrating varying levels of solar photovoltaic penetration into the commercial consumer network of Cagayan de Oro Electric Power and Light Company (CEPALCO) in the Philippines. Utilizing PowerWorld simulator, the research evaluates 11 different scenarios with solar penetration levels adjusted according to the percentage of load demand. Key findings include alterations in solar megavolt ampere of reactive power output, bus voltage levels, transformer power loading, and transmission line ampacity, with frequency levels remaining stable across scenarios. The optimal solar penetration level was identified at 70%, balancing the benefits of solar energy integration with the need to maintain grid stability and operational limits. This optimal level ensures the effective utilization of renewable energy sources without compromising the performance of CEPALCO’s electrical infrastructure. The research concludes with recommendations for maintaining grid stability and operational limits at the optimal solar penetration limits.

This paper introduces a hybrid fuzzy logic control-based proportional-integral (FLC-PI) control strategy designed to enhance voltage stability, power quality, and overall performance of central inverters in photovoltaic power plants (PVPPs). The study is based on a real-world PVPP with an installed capacity of 26.136 MWp, connected to the Egyptian national grid at Fares City, Kom Ombo Centre, Aswan Governorate. A user-friendly MATLAB/SIMULINK environment is developed, incorporating eleven distinct blocks along with a modelled national utility grid, utilizing actual operational data from the PVPP. To optimize the FLC-PI control scheme, several artificial intelligence (AI)-based metaheuristic optimization techniques (MOTs) are employed to simultaneously tune all control parameters—namely Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO), Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO), and the Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (AOA)—are employed. These techniques are used to simultaneously fine-tune all the gain parameters of FLC-PI control, based on four standard error-based objective functions: Integral Absolute Error (IAE), Integral Square Error (ISE), Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE), and Integral Time Square Error (ITSE). The optimized gains are applied to both voltage and current regulators of the central inverters, enabling the identification of optimal values. Among the tested methods, the HHO algorithm combined with the ISE objective function delivered the best performance, achieving a total harmonic distortion (THD) of 3.88%—well below the IEEE 519–2014 limit of 5.00%. The results confirm that the proposed FLC-PI controller significantly enhances the integration of high-penetration PVPPs into the utility grid by reducing power losses and inverter-induced harmonics, especially during maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Moreover, employing MOTs for controller tuning proves to be an effective solution for adapting to dynamic solar irradiance conditions. Ultimately, the optimized FLC-PI control approach enhances voltage stability, improves power quality, and boosts the overall efficiency of grid-connected PV systems.

Rising electricity demand and the need to reduce pollutant emissions highlight the importance of renewable energy, especially solar power. While most studies on photovoltaic (PV) integration focus on developed countries, least developed and developing countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) face particular challenges due to fragile grid infrastructure. This work evaluates the technical and operational impacts of PV integration into the western grid of the DRC using DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2021 SP2 simulations. It examines penetration levels from 10% to 50% based on a 2012 MW baseline, and evaluates power losses, short-circuit ratios (SCRs), grid stability, harmonic distortions, and voltage oscillations. Results reveal that moderate penetration levels (10–20%) reduce active power losses by 25% while maintaining stability. However, above 30% penetration, critical challenges arise, including a drop of the SCR below the minimum recommended value of 3, prolonged voltage oscillations, and increased harmonic distortions, resulting from the reduced overall inertia of the grid following the increase in PV power from inverters without inertia. These findings emphasize the need for targeted solutions like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs), Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOMs), and harmonic filters. This work provides foundational insights for PV integration in fragile grids of LDCs and developing countries.

In response to the high energy consumption and carbon emission issues in the electrolytic aluminum industry, this paper proposes a multi-time-scale optimization and control method for electrolytic aluminum plants with high photovoltaic penetration. First, a plant architecture is established, which includes traditional power systems, renewable energy systems, and electrolytic aluminum loads. A mathematical model for flexible resources such as thermal power units, on-load tap-changing transformers, thyristor-controlled voltage regulators, saturable reactors, and electrolytic cells is developed. Based on this, a two-level optimization control strategy is designed, consisting of a day-ahead and real-time control layer: the day-ahead layer targets economic and low-carbon operation, while the real-time layer aims to stabilize the DC bus voltage. Using actual data from an electrolytic aluminum plant in Southwest China, simulations are conducted on the MATLAB 2021a platform, and the effectiveness of the strategy is verified through hardware-in-the-loop experiments. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively increase the photovoltaic utilization rate, reduce thermal power output and operational costs, and decrease carbon emissions, providing a feasible solution for the green and low-carbon transformation of the electrolytic aluminum industry.

The use of battery energy storage system (BESS) is one of the methods employed in solving the major challenge of overvoltage, experienced on distribution networks with high penetration of photovoltaics (PV). The overvoltage problem limits the penetration levels of PV into the distribution network, and the benefits that could be gained. This study presents three loosely‐related schemes for the coordination of multiple BESSs in such networks. Through the efficient selection, coordination and timing of charge and discharge operations of the BESS, the scheme maintains bus voltages within statutory ranges during periods of high PV power generation and high network load demand. Network segmentation was used in two of the schemes to encourage more even utilisation of the BESS in order to maximise the economic benefits of the BESS. The algorithms for the schemes were implemented and demonstrated on two different distribution networks. Simulation results showed that the schemes met the objectives of mitigating overvoltage and more even cycling of the BESSs during their operating lifetimes.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is one of the potential solutions to increase energy system flexibility, as BESS is well suited to solve many challenges in transmission and distribution networks. Examples of distribution network’s challenges, which affect network performance, are: (i) Load disconnection or technical constraints violation, which may happen during reconfiguration after fault, (ii) Unpredictable power generation change due to Photovoltaic (PV) penetration, (iii) Undesirable PV reverse power, and (iv) Low Load Factor (LF) which may affect electricity price. In this paper, the BESS is used to support distribution networks in reconfiguration after a fault, increasing Photovoltaic (PV) penetration, cutting peak load, and loading valley filling. The paper presents a methodology for BESS optimal locations and sizing considering technical constraints during reconfiguration after a fault and PV power generation changes. For determining the maximum power generation change due to PV, actual power registration of connected PV plants in South Cairo Electricity Distribution Company (SCEDC) was considered for a year. In addition, the paper provides a procedure for distribution network operator to employ the proposed BESS to perform multi functions such as: the ability to absorb PV power surplus, cut peak load and fill load valley for improving network’s performances. The methodology is applied to a modified IEEE 37-node and a real network part consisting of 158 nodes in SCEDC zone. The simulation studies are performed using the DIgSILENT PowerFactory software and DPL programming language. The Mixed Integer Linear Programming optimization technique (MILP) in MATLAB is employed to choose the best locations and sizing of BESS.

In many different ways, solar energy has been studied in many ways. Continuous reduction in the prices of solar photovoltaic systems makes solar energy more efficient compared to other types of renewable energies. The main points of the use of solar panels are subject to high penetration of electric power supply for remote areas. Considering this concept rather than the design and fabrication of transmission lines, it reduces the total power system losses and increases the reliability and overall system stability of the system. However, distributed power generation may cause significant voltage regulation and problems in the power system. This paper examines the effect of high penetration photovoltaic systems on voltage profile, system loss, and transmission lines power flow. The IEEE 9 bus system is considered as a standard test system for analysis. The simulation was carried out with the help of ETAP v'6.0.0, which is a very convenient tool for the simulation and analysis of the power system.

Concentrating solar power (CSP) station is counted as a promising flexible power supply when the net load power curve is duck-shaped in high photovoltaic (PV) penetration power system, which may lead to the serious phenomenon of PV curtailment and a large-capacity power shortage. This paper presents a mitigation strategy that replaces thermal power station with CSP station to participate in the optimal operation of power system for solving the duck-shaped net load power curve problem. The proposed strategy utilizes the dispatchability of thermal storage system (TSS) and the fast output regulation of unit in the CSP station. Simultaneously, considering the operation constraints of CSP station and network security constraints of the system, an optimization model is developed to minimize the overall cost including operation and penalty. The results obtained by nonlinear optimization function demonstrate that the replacement of concentrating solar power (CSP) station contributes to reducing the PV curtailment and lost load, while increasing the available equivalent slope for power balance. Thus, the proposed mitigation strategy can promote the penetration of PV generation and improve the flexibility of power system.

Owing to the intermittent characteristic of solar radiation, power system reliability may be affected with high photovoltaic (PV) power penetration. To reduce large variation of PV power, additional system balancing reserve would be needed. In deregulated power systems, deployment of reserves and customer reliability requirements are correlated with energy and reserve prices. Therefore a new method should be developed to evaluate the impacts of PV power on customer reliability and system reserve deployment in the new environment. In this study, a method based on the pseudo-sequential Monte Carlo simulation technique has been proposed to evaluate the reserve deployment and customers' nodal reliability with high PV power penetration. The proposed method can effectively model the chronological aspects and stochastic characteristics of PV power and system operation with high computation efficiency. An auto-regressive and moving average model has also been developed for simulating the chronological characteristics of the solar radiation. Customers' reliability preferences have been considered in the generation and reserve deployment. Moreover, the correlation between PV power and load has been considered in the proposed method. Nodal reliability indices and reserve deployment have been evaluated by applying the proposed method to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers reliability test system.

The paper presents an economic evaluation, including a cost-benefit analysis and a sensitivity analysis, of smart photovoltaic (PV) inverters with a novel Watt-Var control scheme for enhancing PV penetration in distribution systems in Taiwan. The novel Watt-Var control scheme with three operation phases is utilized to avoid the voltage violation problem during peak solar irradiation period and increase the PV real power injection, and thus can get higher PV penetration in distribution systems. To evaluate the benefit and cost of the PV investment project, the annual revenue of PV power sales, the initial capital investment cost for a PV project with or without a smart inverter, and the operating and maintenance (O&M) cost are taken into account. The paper demonstrates the analyses of net present value (NPV) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) for the PV project. In addition, the paper also presents a sensitivity analysis to deal with the project uncertainty with respect to some affecting parameters. The analyzing results show that, under the feed-in tariffs (FITs) policy, with proper selection of PV and smart inverter capacities, the investment can be profitable, and the smart PV inverter can greatly enhance the PV penetration in distribution systems in Taiwan. These results can provide some useful information for making policy to encourage investment in solar PV industry.