Maximising renewable energy penetration through smart inverter deployment and control

  • Maximising renewable energy penetration through smart inverter deployment and control

Overview

This project determines the optimum sizing, placement and control of three-phase dSTATCOMs into the electricity distribution network to enable higher penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as rooftop PVs, energy storage, electrical vehicles in Queensland. It provides cost-effective solutions to address the technical challenges faced by Queensland distribution network service providers (DNSPs) in integrating DERs into ageing distribution networks, whilst maintaining and improving the quality of supply.

Outcomes

Designed, assembled and validated hardware

(a) voltage rise problem in the LV feeders due to rooftop PVs; (b) LV dSTATCOM trial at Ergon Network (fed from a 200KVA 3phase distribution transformer; Ph A – 5 kVAR; Ph B – 5 kVAR; Ph C – 2*5 kVAR; (c) LV dSTATCOM trial at Energex Network (Newmarket Trial residential feeder fed from a 315KVA 3-phase distribution transformer; 161 customers); 20 kVA dSTATCOM per phase (Active) and 15 kWh battery pack per phase (Inactive)

Key features and advantages

  •  LV DSTATCOMs suits best in mitigate voltage drop/rise
    problems
    > Minimise short-term voltage fluctuations;
    > Fast voltage response;
    > Ability to correct phase imbalance:
    > Set and forget functionality;
    > LoW-CAPEX and OPEX compared to network augmentation.
  • LV dSTATCOMs produces reactive power (leading and lagging), with a surge rating capabilities and can be operated with/without integrated batteries for real power injection/absorption directly on the LV feeders

Funding

Amount:

Duration: 2016-2019

Partners

  • Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation (DSITI)
  • QLD Govt. and Statcom Solutions through Advance QLD Research Fellowship (2016-2019)