Reactive power control of photovoltaic units over wireless cellular networks

The impact of the increasing connection of distributed generation to medium voltage (MV) distribution feeders, with particular reference to photovoltaic (PV) units, justifies the application of an adaptive control of voltages and reactive power flows. This paper describes the analysis of a voltage/var control (VVC) structure that includes the cooperative control of the reactive power regulators of the PV inverters over a third generation cellular network, namely a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). The control structure integrates the regulation of transformers equipped with on-load tap changers. The characteristics and performances of the this VVC structure, with particular reference to the multi agent system constituted by the decentralized and networked reactive power controllers, are illustrated and analyzed by using a specifically developed ICT-power co-simulation platform.