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A Comparison of DER Voltage Regulation Technologies Using Real-Time Simulations

Journal Article · · Energies (Basel)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/en13143562· OSTI ID:1668362
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Palo Alto, CA (United States)
  3. Connected Energy, Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Grid operators are now considering using distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide distribution voltage regulation rather than installing costly voltage regulation hardware. DER devices include multiple adjustable reactive power control functions, so grid operators have the difficult decision of selecting the best operating mode and settings for the DER. In this work, we develop a novel state estimation-based particle swarm optimization (PSO) for distribution voltage regulation using DER-reactive power setpoints and establish a methodology to validate and compare it against alternative DER control technologies (volt–VAR (VV), extremum seeking control (ESC)) in increasingly higher fidelity environments. Distribution system real-time simulations with virtualized and power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL)-interfaced DER equipment were run to evaluate the implementations and select the best voltage regulation technique. Each method improved the distribution system voltage profile; VV did not reach the global optimum but the PSO and ESC methods optimized the reactive power contributions of multiple DER devices to approach the optimal solution.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Program (EE-2A); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1668362
Report Number(s):
SAND--2020-5161J; 686142
Journal Information:
Energies (Basel), Journal Name: Energies (Basel) Journal Issue: 14 Vol. 13; ISSN 1996-1073
Publisher:
MDPI AGCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
distributed energy resources
distribution system
extremum seeking control
particle swarm optimization
power hardware-in-the-loop
reactive power support
state-estimation
volt-var
voltage regulation