A Stochastic Assessment of PV Hosting Capacity Enhancement in Distribution Network Utilizing Voltage Support Techniques

The low voltage (LV) network's constraints are prone to violations with the introduction of distributed energy resources at the customer vicinity. This study assesses the technical aspects of the realistic Finnish distribution network with varying photovoltaic (PV) penetration and quantifies the hosting capacities (HCs) of different regions. Moreover, to maximize the network's HC, having the overvoltage issue, different voltage control strategies are employed comprising on-load tap changer (OLTC), reactive power control (RPC) of inverters, network reinforcement (NR), and hybrid approaches. HC relative to different country-specific over-voltage limits are defined and the best voltage control technique is assessed, utilizing the stochastic approach of Monte Carlo simulations to model the uncertainty in the LV network's probabilistic variables. Moreover, combined medium voltage (MV)/LV network simulations are conducted to compare with the LV only simulations results. Technically, NR is the best approach to maximize the HC of a particular region but economically it is not proven a feasible one. The results presented that the OLTC employment will maximize the PV penetration if the overvoltage limit derived from EN 50160 is implemented and doubles the HC in the stricter-voltage-limits' scenarios, which can be maximized by the RPC inclusion in cohesion with OLTC. Moreover, RPC only strategy can be employed in the cases of low PV penetration scenarios, when OLTC will be proven the more expensive option. As the voltage violation limit becomes stricter, the hybrid approach of OLTC and RPC will be the best strategy.