Voltage regulation in distribution networks with high penetration of distributed photovoltaic systems

Abstract

As the penetration of photovoltaic (PV) systems into distribution networks (DNs) increases, voltage rise becomes a concern. Voltage rise can negatively impact the functioning and lifespan of equipment and increases energy consumption. To tackle the issue, the chapter suggests pioneering solutions to enhance voltage regulation in DN. PV systems are connected to DN through their inverters and can be controlled for active/reactive power flows. As many PV systems participate in voltage regulation, communication is needed among them. However, it imposes additional costs and complex control algorithms. To overcome this, in this chapter, a machine learning-based technique is investigated for cooperative control of various PV units to improve voltage regulation. The chapter highlights the importance of deep reinforcement learning-based cooperative control over the other existing techniques. � 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.