Distributed Generation and local voltage regulation: an approach based on sensitivity analysis

The increasing diffusion of distributed generation plants in recent years could introduce problems concerning voltage regulation in Medium Voltage (MV) radial distribution networks. Among the various control techniques able to perform voltage regulation, local sensitivity analysis based ones are suitable to regulate voltage profiles within standard limits. This paper presents a decentralized sensitivity based control technique able to regulate voltage profiles at buses where wind power generators are connected, taking into account capability curves constraints of wind turbines. The implemented control strategy allows voltage regulation avoiding, as much as possible, both disconnection of the wind turbine and reduction of active power production. Validation of the proposed control algorithm has been carried out by simulations run on a real MV Italian radial distribution network.