A voltage sensitivity-based method for assessment of distributed energy resources impact in unbalanced low-voltage grids

The growing integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) in low-voltage (LV) distribution networks is changing their historically passive nature into a more active one. This fact increasingly requires an active control that enables the best operation strategy of the resources installed there. However, the analysis of these types of networks still requires new methodologies to investigate and evaluate the effects that DERs have on the electrical parameters of the distribution system. Therefore, this paper develops a methodology based on the voltage sensitivity, which allows the assessment of different control strategies over DERs installed in unbalanced LV networks. Based on the characteristics of these grids, this methodology uses an algorithm that can be applied to different power flow simulation software as long as they allow the modelling of unbalanced systems. This tool makes possible the study of the behavior of LV networks in order to implement efficient control strategies. Furthermore, the algorithm is tested in a real scenario where the restrictions over the DERs installed in the distribution network are reduced to the minimum by using a control strategy that takes into consideration the calculated voltage sensitivity coefficients.