New Reactive Power and Voltage Regulation Capability Requirements
Foreshadowing Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard 1547-2018 (IEEE Std 1547-2018), this article by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) focuses on voltage regulation and is part of a four-part series on the standard.
This article is part of the NRECA series on the standard.
New Reactive Power and Voltage Regulation Capability Requirements (Walling 2016)
According to this NRECA article, the interconnection of large distributed energy resource
(DER) facilities, or high levels small DER penetration, can cause significant voltage
issues, both in terms of out-of-limit voltages and voltage variability, for cooperative
electric utilities. This article outlines the toolbox of possible solutions to these
issues found in IEEE Std 1547-2018 and is meant for stakeholders seeking a technical
overview of voltage, reactive power, and the associated capabilities in the new standard.
Topics Covered
The intent of the NRECA article is to aid cooperative utilities with the adoption of the standard by highlighting:
- What has changed
- What the impact is on cooperatives
- What cooperatives need to know or do about it.
Key Takeaways
Voltage Impacts of Distributed Energy Resources
This article explains how the incremental current flow from DERs has an effect on the voltage levels along a feeder, no matter what the penetration level. Both voltage profile changes and variability of voltage potential are described.
Reactive Power as Mitigation
Contrasting investments in distribution infrastructure (reconductoring), the article outlines how reactive power absorption and production by DERs can regulate voltage. The article explains how "the use of DER reactive power can sometimes be a satisfactory alternative to expensive distribution system upgrades."
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