INCREASING PENETRATION OF DISTRIBUTED
GENERATION IN EXISTING DISTRIBUTION
NETWORKS USING COORDINATED VOLTAGE

ABSTRACT
Connections of distributed generation (DG) to weak distribution networks often
experience voltage rise problems. The voltage rise caused by DG can be reduced
with passive methods such as increasing the conductor size but this can be quite
expensive. Active management of distribution networks can allow connection of
more DG into existing distribution networks and, consequently, reduce the connec-
tion costs of DG. Voltage rise can be mitigated for instance by reducing the substa-
tion voltage or by controlling the active and reactive power of DGs.
In this article, active voltage level management of distribution networks with DG is
studied. A coordinated voltage control algorithm that controls the substation volt-
age and DG reactive power is proposed and its operation is tested using time do-
main simulations. The simulations are carried out in an example network that is a
real distribution network located in central Finland and will experience voltage rise
problems if a hydro power plant is connected to the network.