Power electronics considerations for voltage regulation and VAR control approaches in LV distribution networks - hybrid power electronic modules

Abstract

The future substation depends on finding a way to mitigate the effects of the drawbacks of the conventional legacy by employing the efficiency of the solid state switches in light of changing the loading features by time such as Electrical Vehicles (EV) and Photo-voltaic (PV) cells. In distribution transformers the ratio between the primary voltage and the secondary voltage cannot be changed, and the use of the on-load taps changers are limited. Poor voltage regulation and reactive power transmission is a direct reason for losses and shortening the life of several devices. This research discusses the considerations of applying Power Electronics (PE) approaches and designs that provide additional functions in regulating the voltage and controlling the reactive power that is injected in the distribution network, using embedded fractional rated converters attached partially with the windings of the LV transformer. These approaches studies the possible considerations that have the potentials to enhance the unit with more flexibility in controlling the voltage and reactive power at the last mile of the network, in order to decrease the losses and meet the future expectations for low voltage networks modifications, and that by using a Power Electronic (PE) approach has less losses and more functionality depending on the reliability of transformer and intelligence of PE solutions. The approach of a hybrid distribution transformer is introduced and its functionality in regulating the voltage and injecting reactive power is illustrated. A back-to-back converter is controlled according to the immediate need for voltage control and reactive power in Low Voltage (LV) networks, and for the purpose of controlling three unbalanced phases using two control strategies; resonant controller and vector control. The overall controller adds or decreases voltage (10%-20%) to/from the total output voltage in order to control the whole output voltage of the transformer. In addition, some loads need high amount of reactive power at last mile of the network, therefore the consideration of using switched capacitors technique is introduced to serve at the end user side whereby its ability to provide automatic variable reactive power compensation in a closed loop system is illustrated. The considerations results indicate significant potentials for deploying PE in the last mile of the network by using innovative designs and suitable control functions with less losses and costs.