Assessing the impacts of photovoltaic penetration across an entire low-voltage distribution network containing 1.5 million customers
File(s)IET-RPG.2015.0535.pdf (581.96 KB)
Published version
Author(s)
Westacott, P
Candelise, C
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Deployment of grid-connected photovoltaics (PV) in the UK has increased rapidly. By 2014 there were over 650,000 installations (over 5 GWp), spread over different market segments (on site of existing domestic and non-domestic electricity demand customers, or connected directly to the network, e.g. solar farms). This rapid deployment and diverse market segmentation raises questions about impacts upon the electricity network. Here the authors present a novel geographical information system framework which maps current PV deployment and electricity demand to sensitive spatial resolution and by market segment. This is used to understand how current PV deployment affects power flows between the high-voltage (HV) and low-voltage (LV) network. The analysis reveals that overall, current LV PV generation is significantly below summer daytime LV demand – with over half of the areas investigated showing electricity demand five times greater than peak PV generation. Interestingly a small number of areas exhibit peak PV generation greater than demand, where reverse power flow from LV to HV may occur. The framework is hence capable of identifying the areas where network impacts are likely to occur and will also be useful to consider how integration strategies, such as energy storage and demand response could facilitate further PV deployment.
Date Issued
2016-04-01
Date Acceptance
2016-01-27
Citation
IET Renewable Power Generation, 2016, 10 (4), pp.460-466
ISSN
1752-1416
Publisher
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Start Page
460
End Page
466
Journal / Book Title
IET Renewable Power Generation
Volume
10
Issue
4
Copyright Statement
This is an open access article published by the IET under the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)
License URL
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Grant Number
EP/K02227X/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
GREEN & SUSTAINABLE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Energy & Fuels
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Science & Technology - Other Topics
Engineering
photovoltaic power systems
power distribution economics
power markets
geographic information systems
load flow
power generation economics
demand side management
photovoltaic penetration impact assessment
entire low-voltage distribution network
grid-connected photovoltaic deployment
UK
market segmentation
electricity network
geographical information system framework
PV deployment
electricity demand
power flow
high-voltage network
low-voltage network
LV network
HV network
LV PV generation
GENERATION
DEMAND
Energy
0906 Electrical And Electronic Engineering
Publication Status
Published