Assessing maximum DG penetration levels in a real distribution feeder by using OpenDSS

This paper presents an analysis of the voltage regulation in a real feeder with Distributed Generation (DG) for planning purposes. The original feeder has a wind turbine connected and the study evaluated how the feeder's voltage is affected when a new turbine and a PV System are included in the grid, for different levels of penetration. The distribution system, the wind turbines and the PV System were modeled using Open Distribution System Simulator (OpenDSS). Simulation results show that by using the daily simulation mode the estimated permissible DG penetration level is higher than the level evaluated when using the snapshot mode. In addition, if the volt-var control is considered in the PV System Inverter, the permissible penetration level is even higher.