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Cited by 135Optimal Power Flow DistributionPower Quality and HarmonicsPower Systems and Renewable Energy

Impact of solar photovoltaics on the low-voltage distribution network in New Zealand

Open access
Watson, Jeremy D., Watson, Neville R., Santos‐Martin, David, Wood, Alan R., Lemon, Scott, Miller, Allan J.V.·2016·IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution
DOI 10.1049/iet-gtd.2014.1076
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Abstract

Residential rooftop‐mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are being installed at an increasing rate, both in New Zealand and globally. There have been concerns over possible issues such as overvoltage and overcurrent. These PV systems are mostly connected at low voltage (LV). This study presents a case study of simulating the entire LV network from a single utility, comprising 10,558 11 kV–415 V transformers and their associated distribution feeders. These results are also presented by network type. Various solar PV penetration levels are added to the model and the power‐flow results are presented. From these results, possible maximum limits of solar PV penetration are investigated and measures to alleviate overvoltage problems are simulated. The effect of using PV inverters with voltage regulation is simulated. Results show that some minor overvoltage problems can be expected in the future, particularly in urban areas. However, in most cases the overvoltage would not be much higher than the statutory limit of 1.06 p.u.

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  • A high share of PVs in the MV or LV network can cause voltages with magnitude higher than boundaries set by the grid code or standards.

    “A high share of PVs in the MV or LV network can cause voltages with the magnitude that is higher than boundaries set by the grid code or the standards.”

    From A Comprehensive Analysis of the Voltage Unbalance Factor in PV and EV Rich Non-Synthetic Low Voltage Distribution Networks (2020) · cites this paper as [8]

    Section 3.2 reports that overvoltage in urban LV networks increases sharply above 10–15% solar PV penetration, with some voltages exceeding the statutory 1.06 p.u. limit. The study models LV networks; the cited passages do not establish the same effect for PV penetration in MV networks. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Research works printed but not linked: 28

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Cited by

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Authors
Watson, J. D., Watson, N. R., Santos‐Martin, D., Wood, A. R., Lemon, S., & Miller, A. J. V.
Affiliations
  • University of Canterbury (NZ)
  • Electric Power Engineering Centre University of Canterbury Private Bag 4800 Christchurch New Zealand
Corresponding author
Watson, Neville R.
ORCID
Venue
IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution
Publisher
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Published
2016-01
Volume
10
Issue
1
Pages
1-9
ISSN
  • 1751-8687 (ISSN-L)
  • 1751-8695
DOI
10.1049/iet-gtd.2014.1076
OpenAlex
W2302069879
Cited by
135
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 10
FWCI
8.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • IET Generation Transmission & Distribution (publishedVersion, cc-by-nd)
  • e-Archivo (Carlos III University of Madrid) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nd)
  • University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Optimal Power Flow Distribution
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Power Quality and Harmonics
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Energy Engineering and Power Technology › Power Systems and Renewable Energy
Keywords
photovoltaics, low-voltage distribution networks, overvoltage, power flow simulation, residential rooftop solar, distribution feeders, urban distribution networks, New Zealand

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