Voltage stability assessment of grid connected PV systems with FACTS devices

Abstract

Three static techniques (i.e. Power flow, Continuation Power Flow (CPF) and the Q–V curve) are used to assess the voltage stability of the power grid with a Solar Photovoltaic Generator (SPVG) and FACTS devices under nominal and heavy loading conditions. A static model is proposed for the power system that includes conventional power generation units and SPVGs with FACTS devices. Two models of SPVG were used (i.e., PV-model and PQ-model) to elucidate the effect of the SPVGs on the stability of the voltage under various operating conditions. The best location for FACTS devices was obtained under nominal and heavy load conditions using static techniques. A comparison between series and shunt FACTS devices under nominal and heavy loading conditions was carried out using the three static techniques. The interaction between SPVGs and FACTS devices was detailed in this paper. The proposed approach was tested on the New England 39-bus standard test system, and the results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed approach under various operating conditions.