Mitigation of Solar PV Grid-Penetrated System's Operational Challenges Considering Penetration Allowance and FACTS Devices Incorporation

The non-dispatchability, the stochastic and the intermittent natures of solar irradiation and wind, are some of the fundamental barriers to their large-scale and faster deployment. Indeed, power system (PS) operators have no control over distributed generation (DG) available resources and are compelled to operate conventional generators to cater both for normal changes in load demand and make provision for DG's output variations, making it a challenging task to maintain supply/demand balance for PS stability conditions. This paper assesses using DigSILENT™ PowerFactory™, the impact of increasing solar PV penetration on PS stability with FACTS incorporations. The performance condition is monitored through the generator, transmission line and load buses' voltage profile. The simulated results evidenced that system stability condition depend on the network loading status, the level of the DG penetration and the network fault conditions. Much improved network transient stability is achieved when reactive power control devices are introduced for compensation. The use static VAr Systems (SVS) near the load, combined with a distribution of Solar PV units at load buses, was found to be the most supportive alternative solution for voltage profile and system dynamic stability. Findings of this paper contribute to the broad spectrum of search for solutions to curb various challenges that hinder renewable RE grid integration, specifically high PV penetration.