Cost Benefit Analysis of Technology Options for Enabling High PV Penetration

This paper provides an economic comparison of three technologies that enable high PV penetration on the distribution system: Medium voltage solid state transformer (SST), grid edge regulator and smart inverter. In order to compare these three technologies, simulations are performed on a representative utility feeder using OpenDSS. Quasi-static time series analysis over a year is used to predict the effectiveness of high PV penetration and more aggressive conservation voltage reduction enabled by each technology. Comprehensive cost benefit analyses are conducted based on these simulation results. The cost benefit analysis results indicate that the medium voltage solid state transformer (MV SST) is the most cost effective option with a 3 year payback period for utilities that are trying to accommodate high PV penetration in the distribution grid.