This paper shows that the smart loads (SLs) could
be effective in mitigating voltage problems caused by photovoltaic
(PV) generation and electric vehicle (EV) charging
in low-voltage (LV) distribution networks. Limitations of the
previously reported SL configuration with only series reactive
compensator (SLQ) (one converter) is highlighted in this paper.
To overcome these limitations, an additional shunt converter is
used in back-to-back (B2B) configuration to support the active
power exchanged by the series converter, which increases the flexibility
of the SL without requiring any energy storage. Simulation
results on a typical U.K. LV distribution network are presented to
compare the effectiveness of an SL with B2B converters (SLBCs)
against an SLQ in tackling under- and over-voltage problems
caused by EV or PV. It is shown that SLBCs can regulate the
main voltage more effectively than SLQs especially under overvoltage
condition. Although two converters are required for each
SLBC, it is shown that the apparent power capacity of each
converter is required to be significantly less than that of an
equivalent SLQ.