Investigation of the distributed generation penetration in a medium voltage power distribution network

This paper investigates the results of the distributed generation penetration in a weak medium voltage power distribution network. The connected distributed generation resources are in their entirety small hydroelectric plants. Their locations are predetermined. Specifically, the influence of distributed generation on the network branch currents and voltage profile as well as on the short-circuit level at the medium voltage busbars of the infeeding substation are examined using a commercial-grade software package. The arising problems are explored and alternative technical solutions to deal with them are proposed. Finally, an initial proposal for an optimum distributed generation penetration in the predetermined network positions is given. A real-world study case, rather than a simplified academic network, is selected to be analysed in order to specify, as accurately as possible, the arising practical problems and to use this experience in the future in the development of a fast and reliable method for the determination of optimal distributed generation allocation in random network positions. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.