Coordinated voltage control in distribution grids with LTE based communication infrastructure

In modern distribution grids voltage problems are likely to be more common and more significant, due to the high penetration of Distributed Generation (DG) that can vary their in-feed in short times. Coordinating these DGs, either in a centralized or distributed fashion, to maintain voltage at prescribed limits may be one effective solution. However, this coordination system requires a reliable communication infrastructure to operate. This paper presents the role of a Quality of Service (QoS) enabled Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in supporting the exchange of measurement and control signals between control center and local controllers in a coordinated voltage control scheme. A lab setup, with a simulated real distribution grid and an LTE communication infrastructure that prioritizes the energy traffic, tests the feasibility of this communication solution.