Improvement of the quality of supply in distributed generation networks through the integrated application of power electronic techniques

With the steadily increasing penetration of distributed generation in electric power systems, concerns have been raised that reliable and safe electricity supply might be jeopardized by a further deployment of decentralized power plants. In this context, power quality and more generally the quality of supply are key issues which have recently gained increased attention. Quality of supply has been the subject of many studies during the last decade: customers as well as network operators are well aware that secure and efficient operation of power networks and customers’ equipment is intimately connected with a high quality of supply level.

In this context, the European research project DGFACTS has been launched in 2003, as part of the European Cluster for Integration (http://www.clusterintegration.org/), with the aim to investigate, develop and demonstrate the possibilities to improve the quality of supply through distributed generation. The concept introduced within this project is based on the use of the FACTS concept in distribution networks in order to enhance the quality of supply and at the same time to favour the connection of distributed generators to the network. The overall objective of this project run by a consortium of 12 partners including research institutions, universities, industrial companies and network operators was to develop a set of prototypes allowing demonstrating the possibilities to improve the quality of supply with distributed devices.

The Energy Department coordinated activities on the interconnection requirements through Europe and on current experiences with distributed generation

Within a work package lead by the Energy Department, a detailed analysis of the interconnection requirements focused on quality of supply has been performed. Since functionalities such as power quality improvement were planned to be implemented into distributed generators, a detailed overview on the interconnection requirements through Europe was necessary. With the help of all partners, a comprehensive analysis of these requirements has been conducted.

In a second step, information on existing experiences with distributed generation has been collected and analysed. The objective of this work was to analyse the major power quality problems that have possibly already been experienced as well as to identify the problems that might be expected in the future.

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Project data

Duration of the project: 01.01.2003 to 31.12.2005
Project budget: EUR 3,25 Mio.
Supported by the European Commission, DG research, Contract no. ENK5-CT-2002-00658

Project Consortium

AT arsenal research
ES Fundación Labein
ES Electronica Arteche Hermanos S.A.
ES Iberdrola Distribution S.A.
DE Institut für Solare Energieversorgungstechnik E.V.
NO SINTEF Energieforskning A/S
DE SMA Technologie AG
IT Sistemi Energetici Integrati Srl
DE Universität Kassel
SL University of Ljubljana
UK University of Manchester
AT Verbundplan GmbH