Impact Analysis of PV and PEV integration with a Non-Synthetic European LV Test System

In this paper, the reasons behind the necessity for accurate and reliable test systems for network analysis are addressed, and the almost total absence of representative models for the European LV network is considered. Further, the possibility to exploit non-synthetic electric and geographical data, to build real networks is debated, along with a thorough demonstration of the potential in the work by Koirala et al. to prove the versatility of the tool – which also allows modular implementation of synthetic data – an altered version of the Non-Synthetic European Low Voltage Test System is developed. Distributed photovoltaic (PV) generation and plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) representative loads are integrated in a daily time series power flow analysis for different penetration levels. The results obtained from the stress test comply with the assertions of prior studies, with some exceptions. A moderated PV implementation – up to around 40% of the base energy absorption – is possible for appropriate voltage management, and widely improves the energy conditions, whilst PEV contributions to the load cannot be reduced because of mismatch. Furthermore, the research demonstrates that LV network capability to accommodate PV penetration is inversely proportional to PEV contribution to the load. To facilitate penetration, the implementation of regulation controls within the grid should be evaluated. Finally, concerns regarding power and voltage daily rate of change in the presence of high PV and PEV penetration are raised.