Analysis of Traditional and Alternative Methods for Solving Voltage Problems in Low Voltage Grids: An Estonian Case Study

Argo Rosin, Imre Drovtar, Heigo Mõlder, Kaija Haabel, Victor Astapov, Toomas Vinnal and Tarmo Korõtko
Additional contact information
Argo Rosin: FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Road 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
Imre Drovtar: FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Road 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
Heigo Mõlder: FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Road 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
Kaija Haabel: Department of Electrical Power Engineering and Mechatronics, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Road 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
Victor Astapov: Department of Electrical Power Engineering and Mechatronics, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Road 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
Toomas Vinnal: Department of Electrical Power Engineering and Mechatronics, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Road 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
Tarmo Korõtko: FinEst Centre for Smart Cities, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Road 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-22

Abstract: Smart Cities can benefit from existing municipal low voltage (LV) distribution grids by supporting public services with permanent power supply and providing grid connection points to distributed generators (DG). The increased integration of DGs and inverter based non-linear loads increases voltage quality issues, thus the cost-efficient assurance of voltage quality in LV grids with long radial lines is of increasing importance for the operators of municipal electricity distribution systems. Conventional methods for mitigating voltage quality issues (e.g., power line renovation) might not be optimal solutions either technologically or economically. Existing studies do not address all relevant issues related to the assurance of required voltage quality in such LV grids. This paper provides an overview of the applicability and rationality of traditional as well as alternative methods to solve voltage problems in LV grids. The authors use DIgSILENT PowerFactory software to simulate the performance of voltage stabilisers under different conditions. The authors propose a robust method for the classification of LV feeders and provide recommendations on how to resolve voltage quality problems, with the help of different power quality improvement devices, where the traditional methods of upgrading to medium voltage and grid reinforcement are economically infeasible. Based on our results, recommendations for mitigating voltage quality problems in LV distribution grids with radial lines of different lengths are given.

Keywords: voltage quality; low voltage distribution grid; power system modelling; voltage measurement; voltage quality improvement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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