Analysis of Current Variation in a Distribution System With High Penetration of Distributed Photovoltaic Generation

The increase in the use of renewable sources of electric energy, with low environmental impact, has provided advances in the most diverse areas, mainly in the field of Distributed Generation (DG) that constitutes an alternative generation model to the classic centralized electricity supply system. Among the technologies that implement this model, the Distributed Photovoltaic Generation stands out to have an easy installation process, a constant cost reduction of photovoltaic panels, and to allow bigger competitiveness, when compared to other sources. However, the excessive use of this technology can cause damage to distribution networks, impacting, for example, the electric current levels of the system. This paper shows an evaluation of current variability in a distribution network based on the IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder system through a simplified model of photovoltaic generators. The demand for the system loads and the power levels provided by the generators were varied according to load curve data and specific weather conditions. The results found show that the DG can directly impact on the levels of electric current of the feeder, where maximum variations of 94.08% and 90.66% were obtained for each of the two cities analyzed.