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Cited by 20Smart Grid Energy ManagementOptimal Power Flow DistributionMicrogrid Control and Optimization

Over-Voltage Regulation of Distribution Networks by Coordinated Operation of PV Inverters and Demand Side Management Program

Open access
Heidari Yazdi, Seyed Saeid, Rahimi, Tohid, Khadem Haghighian, Saeideh, Gharehpetian, Gevork B., Bagheri, Mehdi·2022·Frontiers in Energy Research
DOI 10.3389/fenrg.2022.920654
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Abstract

The increase of Photovoltaics (PV) units’ penetration factor in the power grids might create overvoltage over the network buses. The active power curtailment (APC) and the reactive power provision methods use inverters to regulate their output active and reactive powers for high PV-penetrated grids. However, the mentioned solutions would reduce the maximum injectable active solar power to the grid, not financially acceptable. Continuous employment of the maximum apparent power capacity of the inverters will practically decrease the inverters’ lifetime, require special design considerations, and make the control system complex. To overcome those issues, a feasible solution would be increasing the load consumption within the time intervals in which the grid faces the over-voltage problem. In this research, the demand response (DR) program is employed. Load shifting techniques are exerted to move a portion of loads from the peak hours to when further power consumption is expected for voltage level reduction purposes. A new long-term strategy based on the coordinated operation of the PV inverters and load shifting techniques is proposed to resolve the over-voltage issue in the network. Consequently, the PV inverter’s contribution to voltage control is reduced; a new sight of DR potential is implemented, and also the under-voltage level in peak times is decreased significantly.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This paper proposes coordinating PV inverter active/reactive power control with a demand response load-shifting program to mitigate over-voltage in high-PV distribution networks while reducing inverter curtailment and reactive-power burden. Simulations on the IEEE 33-bus network with a PV farm at bus #18 show the voltage remains below 1.05 p.u. and under-voltage during peak times is reduced.

Key findings

  • Coordinated load shifting with PV inverter control lowers active power curtailment compared with no load shifting, allowing PV owners to sell more active power and reducing reactive power consumption, inverter power loss, and stress.
  • In the IEEE 33-bus case with a PV farm at bus #18, the resulting voltage profile during the day and for all buses remains under 1.05 p.u., and the under-voltage issue during peak times is reduced.
  • Demand profile variation after load shifting is greatest around noontime, while demand reduction occurs from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for all buses.
  • The strategy uses three cost components—reactive power cost, active power curtailment cost, and DR penalty cost—aggregated into a weighted fitness function to coordinate PV operation and DR.

Methods

  • The paper proposes a long-term strategy coordinating demand response load shifting with PV inverter active power curtailment and reactive power regulation, including a Q–V function based on IEEE 1547-2018.
  • The case study is the IEEE 33-bus medium-voltage radial distribution network with a large-scale PV farm connected at bus #18; loads are P-Q, and the PV farm is modeled as a load capable of injecting and absorbing reactive power.
  • Simulations are performed in MATLAB using a matrix lines-nodes power flow; the code iteratively checks node voltages, adjusts reactive power, and reduces PV generation if over-voltage occurs until stopping criteria are met, with a weighted multi-objective optimization.

Limitations

  • The paper states that it “tries to simply implement” the strategy, that the optimization algorithm, load and generation profiles, and test system were selected to highlight the paper’s goals, and that different scenarios can be considered by researchers.
  • The paper notes that the load profile is not reported for different time intervals, so a time-based factor is applied to base-load data to create a daily profile.
  • Evident from the text: the study uses a single IEEE 33-bus case with one PV farm at bus #18, reports no quantitative cost or voltage values beyond the 1.05 p.u. threshold, and does not present sensitivity, uncertainty, or real utility data; it also assumes customer participation and predictable load behavior.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3389/fenrg.2022.920654

Cites

30 of 30 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 5 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingreasoning

    The proposed coordinated operation decreases the under-voltage issue during peak times.

    “Another advantage would be decreasing the under-voltage issue during peak times which this support is highlighted in Figure 1C.”
    • Also stated in: § RESULTS AND DISCUSSION · plain
      “Correspondingly, the under-voltage issue is reduced during peak times.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Customers allow the network operator to shift a certain percentage of their power consumption from peak times to off-peak times using DR programs.
  • Findingnone given

    Demand reduction occurs during hours 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for all buses.

    “In addition, the demand reduction occurs during hours 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for all the buses.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Customers allow the network operator to shift a certain percentage of their power consumption from peak times to off-peak times using DR programs.
  • Findingreasoning

    The PV unit should consume reactive power around noon times to reduce the over-voltage issue.

    “Considering the employed Q support, see Figure 1, the PV unit should consume the reactive power around noon times to reduce the over-voltage issue.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The voltage value during the day and for all buses remains under 1.05 p.u.

    “The voltage value during the day and for all buses remains under 1.05 p. u.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Under the proposed coordinated operation, the PV farm's contribution in consuming reactive power is reduced.

    “Moreover, the contribution of the PV farm in consuming reactive power is reduced, which will decrease the inverter power loss and consequently increase the inverter's lifetime.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Customers allow the network operator to shift a certain percentage of their power consumption from peak times to off-peak times using DR programs.
  • May combine two claims. 11
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 10

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    The proposed strategy reduces the PV inverter's contribution to voltage control and decreases the under-voltage level in peak times significantly.

    “Consequently, the PV inverter's contribution to voltage control is reduced; a new sight of DR potential is implemented, and also the under-voltage level in peak times is decreased significantly.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Customers allow the network operator to shift a certain percentage of their power consumption from peak times to off-peak times using DR programs.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    The DR program coordinated the PV unit's operation to minimize the final fitness function simultaneously and solve the over-voltage issue.

    “The DR program coordinated the PV unit's operation to minimize the final fitness function simultaneously and solve the over-voltage issue.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Customers allow the network operator to shift a certain percentage of their power consumption from peak times to off-peak times using DR programs.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    By implementing optimum schedules, an optimum solution can be found in which the total penalty cost allocated to the grid owner is the lowest.

    “However, by implementing optimum schedules, an optimum solution can be found in which the total penalty cost allocated to the owner of the grid would be the lowest.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    Employing APC techniques leads to solar power spillage and reduces financial benefits.

    “Employing APC techniques would lead to solar power spillage and would reduce the financial benefits.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Reactive power support by inverters is still needed in power grids, but its level can be significantly reduced by the proposed strategy.

    “Considering the discussion above, reactive power support by inverters is still needed in power grids, but its level can be significantly reduced.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    Shifting loads from peak times to off-peak times is an incentive program and induces costs.

    “Shifting the loads from peak times to off-peak times is an incentive program and induces costs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    To reduce the costs of PV inverter voltage-control contributions, it is proposed to employ DR programs.

    “To reduce the mentioned costs, it is proposed to employ DR programs in this research.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Reduction in the PV farm's reactive power consumption decreases inverter power loss and consequently increases the inverter's lifetime.

    “Moreover, the contribution of the PV farm in consuming reactive power is reduced, which will decrease the inverter power loss and consequently increase the inverter's lifetime.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    High contribution of PV units in voltage control is not cost-effective and may impose complexity in the design and control of inverters.

    “The high contribution of PV units in the voltage control is not cost-effective and may impose complexity in the design and control of inverters.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    The contribution of PV units in voltage control means PV farm owners lose revenue due to applying APC, which must be compensated by the grid owner.

    “As discussed in this paper, the contribution of PV units in voltage control means owners of PV farms would lose some revenue due to applying the APC technique, which must be compensated by the grid owner.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    By defining certain weight factors according to the operator's aims and priorities, the proposed multi-objective optimization can realize the power quality requirement and maximize the operator's profit simultaneously.

    “It is worthy of mentioning that, concerning the operator's aims and priorities, certain weight factors can be defined to realize the power quality requirement and maximize the operator's profit simultaneously.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Premisereasoning

    Network operators should pay a penalty cost to PV unit owners for their contribution to voltage regulation.

    “Also, the network operators should pay a penalty cost to the PV units' owners for their contribution to the voltage regulation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The basic active and reactive power of the loads is reported in the literature.

    “The basic active and reactive power of the loads is reported in the literature (Yuvaraj et al., 2021).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Yuvaraj et al., 2021 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisereasoning

    The grid owner must pay PV unit owners for their contribution to reactive power control as an ancillary service.

    “On the hand, the owner of the grid must pay PV unit owners for their contribution to reactive power control as an ancillary service.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    The IEEE 33-bus system has a radial feature that enlarges the effect of high PV penetration.

    “It has a radial feature to enlarge the effect of high PV penetration.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    EVs can mainly address dynamic voltage deviations quickly, while utility operators prefer to adopt a long-term voltage control strategy.

    “However, EVs can mainly address dynamic voltage deviations quickly, while utility operators prefer to adopt a long-term voltage control strategy.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Reactive power injection or absorption by PV inverters increases the required VA of the inverters, leading to larger inverter size, advanced cooling systems, and increased investment costs.

    “The reactive power injection/absorption by PV inverters will increase the required Volt-Ampere (VA) of the inverters.Therefore, the size of the inverters would be increased, advanced cooling systems would be required, and investment costs would be increased.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
17 of 17

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In high PV-penetrated power systems, PV generators may cause reverse current in grid lines, which can lead to nodal overvoltage.

    “In high PV-penetrated power systems, the PV generators may cause to flow reverse current in grids' lines, and then nodal overvoltage might appear.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Customers allow the network operator to shift a certain percentage of their power consumption from peak times to off-peak times using DR programs.

    “It is assumed that the customers allow the network operator to shift a certain percentage of their power consumption from peak times to off-peak times using DR programs.”
    “It is assumed that customers allow the network operator to be able to shift certain percentages of their power consumption from peak times to non-peak times.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The load change after applying the DR program is ΔP(t).

    “It is assumed that the load change after applying the DR program is ΔP (t).”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    A large-scale PV farm is connected to the proposed network.

    “Since the MW sized and GW sized and grid-connected PV units have been developed around the world (Trindade et al., 2016), it is assumed that the large-scale PV farm is connected to the proposed network.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Customers contribute voluntarily, contract-based and mandatory-based in some emergency conditions in power consumption patterns, so there is little concern about unpredictability and uncontrollability from users' perspectives.

    “In DR programs, customers contribute voluntarily, contract-based and mandatory-based in some emergency conditions in power consumption patterns.Therefore, there is little concern about unpredictability and uncontrollability from users' perspectives.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Loads' behavior can be predicted with high accuracy.

    “Nowadays, loads' behavior can be predicted with high accuracy.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The IEEE 33-bus system is a medium voltage distribution network suitable for grid-connected large-scale PV farms.

    “This system is a Medium Voltage (MV) distribution and a suitable network for grid-connected large-scale PV farms.”
7 of 7

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Cited work includes photovoltaic DGs despite claim to the contrary

    Minor

    The paper says all the cited demand-response works omit DGs and PV units' contribution to voltage support, but its reference for Li et al. (2020) is explicitly about voltage control with photovoltaic DGs.

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Authors
Heidari Yazdi, S. S., Rahimi, T., Khadem Haghighian, S., Gharehpetian, G. B., & Bagheri, M.
Affiliations
  • Carleton University (CA)
  • Amirkabir University of Technology (IR)
  • Nazarbayev University (KZ)
Corresponding author
Bagheri, Mehdi
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Energy Research
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2022-05-23
Volume
10
ISSN
2296-598X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fenrg.2022.920654
OpenAlex
W4281295108
Cited by
20
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5
FWCI
1.14
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
erratum (2022-11-16)
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Energy Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Nazarbayev University Repository (Nazarbayev University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
Funders
Nazarbayev University (021220CRP0322)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Smart Grid Energy Management
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Optimal Power Flow Distribution
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Control and Systems Engineering › Microgrid Control and Optimization
Keywords
distribution networks, photovoltaic inverter, demand response, load shifting, demand-side management, active power curtailment, reactive power support, inverter coordination, high PV penetration, peak shaving, voltage regulation

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