On the Path to SunShot. Emerging Issues and Challenges in Integrating Solar with the Distribution System

This report analyzes distribution-integration challenges, solutions, and research needs in the context of distributed generation from PV (DGPV) deployment to date and the much higher levels of deployment expected with achievement of the U.S. Department of Energy's SunShot targets. Recent analyses have improved estimates of the DGPV hosting capacities of distribution systems. This report uses these results to statistically estimate the minimum DGPV hosting capacity for the contiguous United States using traditional inverters of approximately 170 GW without distribution system modifications. This hosting capacity roughly doubles if advanced inverters are used to manage local voltage and additional minor, low-cost changes could further increase these levels substantially. Key to achieving these deployment levels at minimum cost is siting DGPV based on local hosting capacities, suggesting opportunities for regulatory, incentive, and interconnection innovation. Already, pre-computed hosting capacity is beginning to expedite DGPV interconnection requests and installations in select regions; however, realizing SunShot-scale deployment will require further improvements to DGPV interconnection processes, standards and codes, and compensation mechanisms so they embrace the contributions of DGPV to system-wide operations. SunShot-scale DGPV deployment will also require unprecedented coordination of the distribution and transmission systems. This includes harnessing DGPV's ability to relieve congestion and reduce systemmore » losses by generating closer to loads; minimizing system operating costs and reserve deployments through improved DGPV visibility; developing communication and control architectures that incorporate DGPV into system operations; providing frequency response, transient stability, and synthesized inertia with DGPV in the event of large-scale system disturbances; and potentially managing reactive power requirements due to large-scale deployment of advanced inverter functions. Finally, additional local and system-level value could be provided by integrating DGPV with energy storage and 'virtual storage,' which exploits improved management of electric vehicle charging, building energy systems, and other large loads. Together, continued innovation across this rich distribution landscape can enable the very-high deployment levels envisioned by SunShot.« less

[1]  Massoud Pedram,et al.  Adaptive Control for Energy Storage Systems in Households With Photovoltaic Modules , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

[2]  Michael Chertkov,et al.  Options for Control of Reactive Power by Distributed Photovoltaic Generators , 2010, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[3]  Martin Braun,et al.  Twilight of the Grids: The Impact of Distributed Solar on Germany?s Energy Transition , 2015, IEEE Power and Energy Magazine.

[4]  Robert Eriksson,et al.  Coordinated Active Power-Dependent Voltage Regulation in Distribution Grids With PV Systems , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[5]  G. Joos,et al.  A Stochastic Optimization Approach to Rating of Energy Storage Systems in Wind-Diesel Isolated Grids , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

[6]  R. Teodorescu,et al.  Distribution system augmented by DC links for increasing the hosting capacity of PV generation , 2012, 2012 IEEE International Conference on Power Electronics, Drives and Energy Systems (PEDES).

[7]  E.T. Jauch.  Maximizing automatic reverse power operations with LTC transformers and regulators , 2005, 2005 IEEE Power Engineering Society Inaugural Conference and Exposition in Africa.

[8]  B. Kroposki,et al.  Updating Interconnection Screens for PV System Integration , 2012 .

[9]  Liana Mirela Cipcigan,et al.  Investigation of the reverse power flow requirements of high penetrations of small-scale embedded generation , 2007 .

[10]  Robert J. Broderick,et al.  Analysis of 100 utility SGIP PV interconnection studies , 2014, 2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC).

[11]  Surya Santoso,et al.  Understanding photovoltaic hosting capacity of distribution circuits , 2015, 2015 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting.

[12]  M. Matos,et al.  Optimization of Pumped Storage Capacity in an Isolated Power System With Large Renewable Penetration , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

[13]  Parthiv Kurup,et al.  On the Path to SunShot. Emerging Opportunities and Challenges in U.S. Solar Manufacturing , 2016 .

[14]  Robert J. Broderick,et al.  Accelerating cost-effective deployment of solar generation on the distribution grid , 2016 .

[15]  Mark Bolinger,et al.  On the Path to SunShot: Emerging Opportunities and Challenges in Financing Solar , 2016 .

[16]  Bri-Mathias Hodge,et al.  Final Technical Report: Integrated Distribution-Transmission Analysis for Very High Penetration Solar PV , 2016 .

[17]  Duncan S. Callaway,et al.  Physical Effects of Distributed PV Generation on California's Distribution System , 2015, 1506.06643.

[18]  B. Kroposki,et al.  Distribution System Voltage Performance Analysis for High-Penetration PV , 2008, 2008 IEEE Energy 2030 Conference.

[19]  Matthew Rylander,et al.  Streamlined Method for Determining Distribution System Hosting Capacity , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[20]  Yang Wang,et al.  Adaptive Real Power Capping Method for Fair Overvoltage Regulation of Distribution Networks With High Penetration of PV Systems , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

[21]  H. Akaike,et al.  Information Theory and an Extension of the Maximum Likelihood Principle , 1973 .

[22]  Donald Chung,et al.  On the Path to SunShot. The Role of Advancements in Solar Photovoltaic Efficiency, Reliability, and Costs , 2016 .

[23]  J. W. Smith,et al.  Advanced distribution planning tools for high penetration PV deployment , 2012, 2012 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting.

[24]  M. Lave,et al.  Characterizing local high-frequency solar variability and its impact to distribution studies , 2015 .

[25]  B. Mather,et al.  Integrating high penetrations of PV into Southern California: Year 2 project update , 2012, 2012 38th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference.

[26]  Santiago Grijalva,et al.  Smart inverter capabilities for mitigating over-voltage on distribution systems with high penetrations of PV , 2013, 2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC).

[27]  Martin Braun,et al.  Local voltage control strategies for PV storage systems in distribution grids , 2014, 2014 IEEE PES General Meeting | Conference & Exposition.

[28]  Paul Denholm,et al.  Role of Energy Storage with Renewable Electricity Generation , 2010 .

[29]  Yun Wei Li,et al.  A New Control Strategy to Mitigate the Impact of Inverter-Based DGs on Protection System , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

[30]  Craig Turchi,et al.  On the Path to SunShot. Advancing Concentrating Solar Power Technology, Performance, and Dispatchability , 2016 .

[31]  S. M. García,et al.  2014: , 2020, A Party for Lazarus.

[32]  Matthew J. Reno,et al.  Time series simulation of voltage regulation device control modes , 2013, 2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC).

[33]  Matthew J. Reno,et al.  Technical evaluation of the 15% of peak load PV interconnection screen , 2015, 2015 IEEE 42nd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC).

[34]  Jiqiang Guo,et al.  Stan: A Probabilistic Programming Language. , 2017, Journal of statistical software.

[35]  Farrokh Aminifar,et al.  Distribution Automation Strategies Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing Landscape , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

[36]  Barry Mather,et al.  Alternatives to the 15% Rule: Modeling and Hosting Capacity Analysis of 16 Feeders , 2015 .

[37]  Sairaj V. Dhople,et al.  Decentralized optimal dispatch of photovoltaic inverters in residential distribution systems , 2015 .

[38]  Thomas Basso,et al.  Photovoltaic systems interconnected onto secondary network distribution systems , 2009, 2009 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC).

[39]  Tomonobu Senjyu,et al.  Determination methodology for optimising the energy storage size for power system , 2009 .

[40]  Paul Denholm,et al.  Methods for Analyzing the Benefits and Costs of Distributed Photovoltaic Generation to the U.S. Electric Utility System , 2014 .

[41]  Farrokh Aminifar,et al.  Distribution Automation Strategies: Evolution of Technologies and the Business Case , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

[42]  K. Fox,et al.  Updating Small Generator Interconnection Procedures for New Market Conditions , 2012 .

[43]  Anurag K. Srivastava,et al.  Impact of Distributed Generations With Energy Storage Devices on the Electric Grid , 2012, IEEE Systems Journal.

[44]  Sandia Report,et al.  Time Series Power Flow Analysis for Distribution Connected PV Generation , 2013 .

[45]  Nate Blair,et al.  2015 Standard Scenarios Annual Report: U.S. Electric Sector Scenario Exploration , 2015 .

[46]  Guangya Yang,et al.  Effect of reactive power management of PV inverters on need for energy storage , 2013, 2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC).

[47]  Santiago Grijalva,et al.  Improving distribution network PV hosting capacity via smart inverter reactive power support , 2015, 2015 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting.

[48]  M. Steurer,et al.  Impact of PV on distribution protection system , 2012, 2012 North American Power Symposium (NAPS).

[49]  Mark Bolinger,et al.  Utility-Scale Solar 2012: An Empirical Analysis of Project Cost, Performance, and Pricing Trends in the United States , 2014 .

[50]  Robert J. Broderick,et al.  Clustering methodology for classifying distribution feeders , 2013, 2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC).

[51]  Igor Papic,et al.  Assessment of maximum distributed generation penetration levels in low voltage networks using a probabilistic approach , 2015 .

[52]  Martin Braun,et al.  Is the distribution grid ready to accept large‐scale photovoltaic deployment? State of the art, progress, and future prospects , 2012 .

[53]  Joshua S. Stein,et al.  Ota City : characterizing output variability from 553 homes with residential PV systems on a distribution feeder. , 2011 .

[54]  Elias K. Stefanakos,et al.  Thermal energy storage technologies and systems for concentrating solar power plants , 2013 .

[55]  M. Braun,et al.  Time in the Sun: The Challenge of High PV Penetration in the German Electric Grid , 2013, IEEE Power and Energy Magazine.

[56]  Richard Perez,et al.  Maximizing the value of customer-sited PV systems using storage and controls , 2007 .

[57]  Santiago Grijalva,et al.  Locational dependence of PV hosting capacity correlated with feeder load , 2014, 2014 IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exposition.

[58]  Roy G. Gordon,et al.  Alkaline quinone flow battery , 2015, Science.

[59]  Chelsea Schelly.  Residential solar electricity adoption: What motivates, and what matters? A case study of early adopters , 2014 .

[60]  Matthew J. Reno,et al.  Grid integrated distributed PV (GridPV). , 2013 .

[61]  Jan Kleissl,et al.  Research on impacts of distributed versus centralized solar resource on distribution network using power system simulation and solar now-casting with sky imager , 2015, 2015 IEEE 42nd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC).

[62]  Michael Buckley,et al.  Tracking the Sun VIII The Installed Price of Residential and Non-Residential Photovoltaic Systems in the United States , 2017 .

[63]  Alejandro Navarro-Espinosa,et al.  Probabilistic Impact Assessment of Low Carbon Technologies in LV Distribution Systems , 2016, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

[64]  Nicholas W. Miller,et al.  Western Wind and Solar Integration Study Phase 3 – Frequency Response and Transient Stability , 2014 .

[65]  Luis F. Ochoa,et al.  Monte Carlo-based assessment of PV impacts on real UK low voltage networks , 2013, 2013 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting.

[66]  J. H. Harlow,et al.  – 1 – Load Tap Changing Control , 2000 .

[67]  Abraham Ellis,et al.  Understanding Variability and Uncertainty of Photovoltaics for Integration with the Electric Power System , 2009 .

[68]  Bryan Palmintier.  Integrated Grid Modeling System (IGMS) for Combined Transmission and Distribution Simulation , 2015 .

[69]  D. Dubal,et al.  Hybrid energy storage: the merging of battery and supercapacitor chemistries. , 2015, Chemical Society reviews.

[70]  Farid Katiraei,et al.  Comparative analysis of time-series studies and transient simulations for impact assessment of PV integration on reduced IEEE 8500 node feeder , 2013, 2013 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting.

[71]  J. Hambrick,et al.  High-penetration PV deployment in the Arizona Public Service System, Phase 1 update , 2012, 2012 38th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference.

[72]  Thomas Basso,et al.  Performance of a dynamically controlled inverter in a photovoltaic system interconnected with a secondary network distribution system , 2011, 2011 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference.

[73]  Jeremy Woyak,et al.  High-Penetration PV Integration Handbook for Distribution Engineers , 2016 .

[74]  Jeremy Woyak,et al.  Model-Based Integrated High Penetration Renewables Planning and Control Analysis , 2015 .

[75]  Nicholas Etherden,et al.  Increasing the hosting capacity of distributed energy resources using storage and communication , 2012 .

[76]  Blake Lundstrom,et al.  Evaluation of multiple inverter volt-VAR control interactions with realistic grid impedances , 2015, 2015 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting.

[77]  R. Lenhoff.  Final Technical Report 09 LW 112 , 2010 .

[78]  S. Borenstein.  Private Net Benefits of Residential Solar PV: The Role of Electricity Tariffs, Tax Incentives, and Rebates , 2015, Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists.

[79]  Kara Clark,et al.  On the Path to SunShot. Emerging Issues and Challenges in Integrating High Levels of Solar into the Electrical Generation and Transmission System , 2016 .

[80]  Bart Verhelst,et al.  Maximum power injection acceptance in a residential area , 2010 .

[81]  Kevin P. Schneider,et al.  Modern Grid Initiative Distribution Taxonomy Final Report , 2008 .

[82]  C. Whitaker,et al.  Renewable Systems Interconnection : Distributed PV Systems Design and Technology Requirements , 2007 .

[83]  A. Ellis,et al.  Initial operating experience of the 1.2-MW La Ola photovoltaic system , 2013, 2012 IEEE 38th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC) PART 2.

[84]  R. A. Shayani,et al.  Photovoltaic Generation Penetration Limits in Radial Distribution Systems , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.

[85]  B. Kroposki,et al.  Steady-State Analysis of Maximum Photovoltaic Penetration Levels on Typical Distribution Feeders , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.

[86]  Galen Barbose,et al.  Tracking the Sun VII: An Historical Summary of the Installed Price of Photovoltaics in the United States from 1998 to 2013 , 2012 .

[87]  K. M. Muttaqi,et al.  Distributed energy storage for mitigation of voltage-rise impact caused by rooftop solar PV , 2012, 2012 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting.

[88]  Mark Rawson,et al.  Sacramento Municipal Utility District PV and Smart Grid Pilot at Anatolia , 2013 .

[89]  S. Vasilic,et al.  Analysis of High-Penetration Levels of Photovoltaics into the Distribution Grid on Oahu, Hawaii: Detailed Analysis of HECO Feeder WF1 , 2013 .

[90]  Barry Mather,et al.  Alternatives to the 15% Rule , 2015 .

[91]  Kyri Baker.  Coordination of Resources Across Areas for the Integration of Renewable Generation: Operation, Sizing, and Siting of Storage Devices , 2014 .

[92]  Matthew Rylander,et al.  Voltage impacts from distributed photovoltaics on two distribution feeders , 2013, 2013 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting.

[93]  Barry Mather,et al.  Field demonstration of using advanced PV inverter functionality to mitigate the impacts of high-penetration PV grid integration on the distribution system , 2015, 2015 IEEE 42nd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC).

[94]  Alejandro Navarro-Espinosa,et al.  Assessing the benefits of PV var absorption on the hosting capacity of LV feeders , 2013, IEEE PES ISGT Europe 2013.

[95]  Jose C. M. Vieira,et al.  Analysis of PV generation impacts on voltage imbalance and on voltage regulation in distribution networks , 2013, 2013 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting.

[96]  M. Merlo,et al.  Distribution network analysis: A comparison between hosting and loading capacities , 2012, International Symposium on Power Electronics Power Electronics, Electrical Drives, Automation and Motion.

[97]  Brian Seal,et al.  Smart inverter volt/var control functions for high penetration of PV on distribution systems , 2011, 2011 IEEE/PES Power Systems Conference and Exposition.

[98]  Gabriela Hug,et al.  Optimal storage sizing using two-stage stochastic optimization for intra-hourly dispatch , 2014, 2014 North American Power Symposium (NAPS).

[99]  Willett Kempton,et al.  Integration of renewable energy into the transport and electricity sectors through V2G , 2008 .

[100]  Ajeet Rohatgi,et al.  Determining the relative effectiveness of islanding detection methods using phase criteria and nondetection zones , 2000 .

[101]  Paul De Martini,et al.  MORE THAN SMART: A Framework to Make the Distribution Grid More Open, Efficient and Resilient , 2014 .

[102]  Michael Coddington.  Current Utility Screening Practices, Technical Tools, Impact Studies, and Mitigation Strategies for Interconnecting PV on the Electric Distribution Systems , 2014 .

[103]  M. Mench.  Flow Batteries I , 2015 .

[104]  P. Denholm,et al.  Value of Energy Storage for Grid Applications , 2013 .

[105]  Benjamin Kroposki,et al.  Understanding Fault Characteristics of Inverter-Based Distributed Energy Resources , 2010 .

[106]  Hao Chen,et al.  Inverter-Less Hybrid Voltage/Var Control for Distribution Circuits With Photovoltaic Generators , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

[107]  N. Darghouth,et al.  On the Path to SunShot. Utility Regulatory and Business Model Reforms for Addressing the Financial Impacts of Distributed Solar on Utilities , 2016 .