Voltage Profiles Improvement in a Power Network with PV Energy Sources—Results of a Voltage Regulator Implementation

Abstract

The constant increase in the number of photovoltaic (PV) energy sources in distribution networks is the cause of serious voltage problems. The networks built at least a dozen years ago are not provided for the installation of a large number of micro-sources. It happens that the previously properly functioning power networks are not able to provide to consumers power with the required parameters, after installing many PV sources. The problem relates especially to the level of voltage in the networks. This phenomenon sometimes occurs on sunny days, especially in summer. This paper discusses the use of a Low-Voltage Regulator (LVR-sys) in a selected rural distribution network with PV micro-sources. Measured voltage levels in this network, before application and after application of this regulator, are presented. The application of the regulator significantly improved voltage levels in the network and enabled these levels to be maintained within the normative range.