Edge-of-Grid Device Placement for Over and Under Voltage Regulation

The load growth and increasing levels solar photovoltaic (PV) generation in distribution networks can cause both under and over voltage problems. The traditional practices of voltage regulation using primary-side control assets alone are not sufficient to maintain the service voltages within acceptable limits. This paper proposes employment of distributed voltage control using low-voltage static var compensators (SVCs) and distribution static compensators (DSTATCOMs) to mitigate load voltage violations. An iterative placement algorithm is proposed to determine the effective locations to install these devices. The efficacy of the proposed approach is demonstrated through simulations of an actual distribution circuit model with significant PV generation.