A Master/Slave Approach to Power Flow and Overvoltage Control in Low-Voltage Microgrids

Abstract

This paper proposes a technique to control distributed energy resources in low-voltage microgrids aiming at (i) allowing power flow control at the point of connection with the upstream grid, (ii) keeping voltage profiles within the operational limits. The first feature is crucial in smart low-voltage power systems. In fact, it enables both demand-responses, which is extremely valuable from the point of view of distribution system operators and for energy trading, and the autonomous operation of the microgrid. The latter can be achieved by regulating to zero the power exchanged with the main grid. The second feature allows to limit voltage increases due to active power injection by distributed energy resources and, thus, to limit stresses on the electrical infrastructure and the served loads, which is a concrete issue as renewables become widely deployed in the low-voltage scenario. The proposed approach is firstly described in detail, then a systematic analysis of its local and global properties is reported. All the obtained results are verified considering the IEEE 37 test feeder in realistic operating conditions.