Technical Aspects of Integrating Photovoltaic Distributed Generation in the Western Balkans Power Systems

Kusljugic, Mirza and Kazani, Jonid and Boshnjaku, Shend and Minovski, Dragan and Cicovic, Dragoslav (2024) Technical Aspects of Integrating Photovoltaic Distributed Generation in the Western Balkans Power Systems. Open Society Foundations Western Balkans.

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Abstract

This policy paper, prepared by a team of regional experts for the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, presents
the technical aspects of integrating solar photovoltaic (PV)
distributed generators (DG) – DG-PVs, in the distribution
electric networks (DENs) in the Western Balkans countries
(WB6).
The deployment of DG-PVs in the WB6 power sectors is a
“win-win-win” strategy for the consumers (prosumers), the
distribution network operators (DNOs) and the power utilities
as dominant electricity suppliers, since the positive
socioeconomic effects of connecting PV generators to the
DEN outweighs the technical challenges. The distributed
PV technology, especially when connected to the low-voltage
(LV) level, is identified as a key driver for decentralization and democratization of the imminent energy transition in the region. Hence, the objective of the policy paper is to support large-scale deployment of DG-PVs by identifying potential technical barriers from the electric network and power system aspects, also proposing measures and actions for the smooth integration of the prosumers connected to the LV networks.
Since conventional DENs are not designed to integrate substantial amounts of DGs, the connection of DG-PVs can have both positive and negative effects on the existing
DENs, especially regarding the quality of supply aspects. In
principle, today’s DENs in the WB6 are ill-prepared for the
intake of electricity from DG-PVs, especially in LV networks.
Usually, DNOs observe the quality of supply violations as
the limiting constraints to the maximum power of DGs which can be connected to a part (i.e. feeder, transformer area) of the DEN.
For the estimation of the maximum power of the DGs that
can be connected to a part of the DEN, the use of the
Hosting Capacity (HC) method is proposed. The HC concept
is not a defined approach but rather a framework for the
estimation of maximum absorption of DG capacity in a DEN,
based on specific performance indices. Since the use of this method requires extensive data regarding network and load characteristics, a simple conservative “rule-of-thumb” method is applied in this analysis to estimate the value LV-PV capacity which can be connected to the national DENs in the region, without requiring major changes in the network operation and control and grid enforcement and
reconstruction interventions. Finally, the list of measures
and actions for increasing the Hosting Capacity of the DENs in the region which will enable integration of larger capacities of DG-PVs is proposed.
It is expected that this policy paper will serve as base for
initiating an evidence-based discussion with the DNOs, national and local governments and power sector regulators
regarding future policies, technical and regulatory improvements aiming to enable the increased share of the LV prosumers (i.e. households, local public institutions, municipal utilities and small businesses) in the generation mix of the future low-carbon power sectors in the WB6 region.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Engineering and Technology > Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
Divisions:	Faculty of Electrical Engineering
Depositing User:	Dragan Minovski
Date Deposited:	04 Dec 2024 09:42
Last Modified:	04 Dec 2024 09:42
URI:	https://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/id/eprint/35129

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