Evaluating Harmonic Diversity of Solar Farms Using Equivalent Current Sources in EMTP-RV

This paper demonstrates the application of current source models (CSMs) in EMTP-RV to study the interaction of harmonic currents from inverter-based solar farms with the grid. The CSM represents the harmonic current injections of a solar farm at the high voltage side of its transformer. This work also investigates the diversity of current harmonic profiles of multiple solar farms, which arises due to the varying generation levels and distinct locations of solar farms. The CSMs emulate the behavior of solar farms using data from known current harmonic spectra and the phase angle of the inverter bus voltage obtained from a steady-state load flow simulation. The process is explained using two different network simulation models in which the CSMs operate along with conventional generator plants. The results of the harmonic current distortion are shown for two cases at 230-kV with PV-controlled generator plants.