Experimental Investigation and Evaluation of Future Active Distribution Networks

Abstract

The UK government’s policy to achieve a 20% renewable energy generation target by 2020, will require significant amounts of SSEG (Small-Scale Embedded Generation) to be connected. In addition to the expected economic and environmental benefits, the anticipated growth in SSEG brings with it numerous challenges for the operation of low voltage and medium voltage distribution networks. At present, there are a number of competing active network management concepts being considered to overcome these challenges and at Durham University a concept defined as the Small Scale Energy Zone (SSEZ) has been proposed and is investigated as part of this research.
To further this, a bespoke active low voltage distribution network emulator known as the Experimental SSEZ has been developed by the author. Controllable emulated SSEG, controllable energy storage and controllable emulated load are incorporated into this laboratory. A transformation system has been developed to relate the operation of this system to that of low voltage distribution networks. Centralised and distributed network control systems have been developed for the Experimental SSEZ. These systems were used to evaluate, in conjunction with the relevant literature, the implementation of similar systems on future low voltage distribution networks. Both centralised and distributed control system architectures were found to have their merits. This research should therefore be useful in informing design decisions when developing and implementing active distribution network management systems on LV networks.