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Among many challenges regarding the management of the conventional power systems, the distribution system has been facing the penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in relation to the amount of photovoltaic (PV), which can be hosted by existing radial distribution feeders without compromising the system constraints. PV technologies carry out a major role due to advances in their knowledge, thus decreasing capital costs and subsidies. When the distribution grids are transited from a passive network to an active, it is important to consider the PV deployment, as well as quantifying the system losses. Thus, these phenomena are addressed as the greatest concern to guide utilities actions to avoid technical violations. This paper aims a sensitive study in order to conduct an analysis regarding the harmonic hosting capacity of PV integration evaluating. Moreover, the harmonic distortions will be acting in accordance with international standards, as well as the assessment of the system electrical losses. Furthermore, their location-dependence and background influence will be considering. Simulations were performed using MATLab scripts to course several cases of power flow through the Open Source Distribution System Simulator (OpenDSS) based on the IEEE 13-bus distribution feeder.

This paper introduces a brief analysis on hosting capacity and related concepts as applied to distribution network systems. Furthermore, it addresses the applicability of hosting capacity study methodologies to harmonic voltage distortion caused by photovoltaic panels (PV) connected at a low-voltage (LV) side of a university campus grid. The analysis of the penetration of new distributed generation technologies, such as PV panels, in the distribution grid of the campus was carried out via measurement processes, and later by computer simulations analyzing a new concept of the hosting capacity approach in relation to voltage harmonics distortion. The voltage rise due to harmonic injection is analyzed and discussed with the aim of validating the discussed model and also putting forward recommendations for connecting PV generation across other network systems.

The hosting capacity approach is presented as a planning, improving, and communication tool for electrical distribution systems operating under specific uncertainties, such as power quality issues, power stabilities, and reliability, among others. In other words, it is an important technique, when renewable sources are present, to answer the amount of power that is possible to supply to the system without trespassing power performance limits. However, the power flow in a distribution system, for instance, can change throughout time due to the penetration of distributed generation, as well as load consumption. Based on the dynamic nature existing in distribution grids nowadays, it is important to highlight that the hosting capacity should not be calculated in a specifically chosen time only, but must be analyzed throughout a period of time. Thus, this paper introduces an extended concept of hosting capacity in relation to an integrated impact of harmonic voltage distortion and voltage rise as a function of time for daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly periods. This extended concept is named as Dynamic Hosting Capacity (DHC(t)). General aspects of DHC(t) are demonstrated via measured data on a photovoltaic system (PV) connected at a low-voltage (LV) side of a university building.

The paper address the concept and application of hosting capacity study methodologies to harmonics caused by photovoltaic panels (PV) connected to low-voltage (LV) at an university campus. The analysis of the insertion of new distributed generation technologies, such as photovoltaic panels in the distribution system of this campus was carried out initially via analytical processes, and later by computer simulations in steady state simulation-based programs, such as the SKM-PTW. The power quality impacts are analyzed and discussed aiming to make recommendations to the university regarding a recently approved project to implement additional PV generation across the entire campus and transform it into a more sustainable system.

The introduction of distributed generation has affected power systems. The hosting capacity is used to determine the amount of generation that can be connected to the system without deteriorating its performance. This paper proposes the analysis of the hosting capacity regarding the inclusion of wind turbines considering different background distortions. A case study is performed on a Brazilian university distribution grid. The results shown that the hosting capacity varies significantly with the background distortion and becomes an important parameter when considering the inclusion of distributed renewable generation with non-linear characteristics.