Michael Coddington

Deploying high penetration photovoltaic systems — A case study

Photovoltaic (PV) system capacity penetration, or simply “penetration,” is often defined as the rated power output of the aggregate PV systems on a distribution circuit segment divided by the peak load of that circuit segment. Industry experts agree that a single value defining high penetration is not universally applicable. However, it is generally agreed that a conservative value to designate high penetration is the condition when the ratio of aggregate PV systems ratings to peak load exceeds 15%. This case study illustrates the case of a distribution feeder which is able to accommodate a traditional capacity penetration level of 47%, and perhaps more. New maximum penetration levels need to be defined and verified and enhanced definitions for penetration on a distribution circuit need to be developed. The new penetration definitions and studies will help utility engineers, system developers, and regulatory agencies better agree what levels of PV deployment can be attained without jeopardizing the reliability and power quality of a circuit.

Evaluating future standards and codes with a focus on high penetration photovoltaic (HPPV) system deployment

High-penetration photovoltaic (PV) system deployment is becoming a reality in several regions of the United States and the trend toward high penetration levels will continue to rise due to decreasing PV system costs in concert with increasing electric utility rates and societal deliberations. New standards and codes for high-penetration PV deployment must be developed, while some existing standards and codes will need to be revised to accommodate increasing levels of PV deployment.

IEEE 1547 Standards advancing grid modernization

Technology advances including development of advanced distributed energy resources (DER) and grid-integrated operations and controls functionalities have surpassed the requirements in current standards and codes for DER interconnection with the distribution grid. The full revision of IEEE Standards 1547 (requirements for DER-grid interconnection and interoperability) and 1547.1 (test procedures for conformance to 1547) are establishing requirements and best practices for state-of-the-art DER including variable renewable energy sources. The revised standards will also address challenges associated with interoperability and transmission-level effects, in addition to strictly addressing the distribution grid needs. This paper provides the status and future direction of the ongoing development focus for the 1547 standards.

Implementation and validation of advanced unintentional islanding testing using power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) simulation

Unprecedented investment in new renewable power (especially solar photovoltaic) capacity is occurring. As this new generation capacity is interconnected with the electric power system (EPS), it is critical that their grid interconnection systems have proper controls in place so that they react appropriately in case of an unintentional islanding event. Advanced controls and methods for unintentional islanding protection that go beyond existing standards, such as UL 1741 and IEEE Std 1547, are often required as more complex high penetration photovoltaic installations occur. This paper describes the implementation, experimental results, and validation of a power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL)-based platform that allows for the rapid evaluation of advanced anti-islanding and other controls in complex scenarios. The PHIL-based approach presented allows for accurate, real-time simulation of complex scenarios by connecting a device under test to a software-based model of a local EPS. This approach was validated by conducting an unintentional islanding test of a photovoltaic inverter, as described in IEEE 1547.1, using both PHIL and discrete hardware-based test configurations. The comparison of the results of these two experiments demonstrates that this novel PHIL-based test platform accurately emulates traditional unintentional islanding tests. The advantage of PHIL-based testing over discrete hardware-only testing is demonstrated by completing an IEEE 1547.1 unintentional islanding test using a very precisely tuned resonant circuit that is difficult to realize with discrete hardware using PHIL.

Updating technical screens for PV interconnection

Solar photovoltaics (PV) is the dominant type of distributed generation (DG) technology interconnected to electric distribution systems in the United States, and deployment of PV systems continues to increase rapidly. Considering the rapid growth and widespread deployment of PV systems in United States electric distribution grids, it is important that interconnection procedures be as streamlined as possible to avoid unnecessary interconnection studies, costs, and delays. Because many PV interconnection applications involve high penetration scenarios, the process needs to allow for a sufficiently rigorous technical evaluation to identify and address possible system impacts. Existing interconnection procedures are designed to balance the need for efficiency and technical rigor for all DG. However, there is an implicit expectation that those procedures will be updated over time in order to remain relevant with respect to evolving standards, technology, and practical experience. Modifications to interconnection screens and procedures must focus on maintaining or improving safety and reliability, as well as accurately allocating costs and improving expediency of the interconnection process. This paper evaluates the origins and usefulness of the capacity penetration screen, offers potential short-term solutions which could effectively allow fast-track interconnection to many PV system applications, and considers longer-term solutions for increasing PV deployment levels in a safe and reliable manner while reducing or eliminating the emphasis on the penetration screen.

Assessing technical potential for city PV deployment using NREL's in my backyard tool

This paper describes a method for estimating the technical potential of rooftop photovoltaics (PV) using the National Renewable Energy Laboratorys (NREL) In My Backyard (IMBY) tool. This method is applied to 10 utility network areas in New York City to estimate PV yield potential. PV power generation is compared to network loads to determine when and where PV generation may exceed network loads. The effects of energy exporting on network distribution systems are evaluated.

Performance of a dynamically controlled inverter in a photovoltaic system interconnected with a secondary network distribution system

In 2008, a 300 kWpeak photovoltaic (PV) system was installed on the rooftop of the Colorado Convention Center (CCC). The installation was unique for the electric utility, Xcel Energy, as it had not previously permitted a PV system to be interconnected on a building served by the local secondary network distribution system (network). The PV system was installed with several provisions; one to prevent reverse power flow, another called a dynamically controlled inverter (DCI), that curtails the output of the PV inverters to maintain an amount of load supplied by Xcel Energy at the CCC. The DCI system utilizes current transformers (CTs) to sense power flow to insure that a minimum threshold is maintained from Xcel Energy through the network transformers. The inverters are set to track the load on each of the three phases and curtail power from the PV system when the generated PV system current reaches 95% of the current on any phase. This is achieved by the DCI, which gathers inputs from current transformers measuring the current from the PV array, Xcel, and the spot network load. Preventing reverse power flow is a critical technical requirement for the spot network which serve this part of the CCC. The PV system was designed with the expectation that the DCI system would not curtail the PV system, as the expected minimum load consumption was historically higher than the designed PV system size. However, the DCI system has operated many days during the course of a year, and the performance has been excellent. The DCI system at the CCC was installed as a secondary measure to insure that a minimum level of power flows to the CCC from the Xcel Energy network. While this DCI system was intended for localized control, the system could also reduce output percent if an external smart grid control signal was employed. This paper specifically focuses on the performance of the innovative design at this installation; however, the DCI system could also be used for new smart grid-enabled distribution systems where renewables power contributions at certain conditions or times may need to be curtailed.

Alternatives to the 15% Rule

The third solicitation of the California Solar Initiative (CSI) Research, Development, Demonstration and Deployment (RD&D) Program established by the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) is supporting the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) with collaboration from Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San

Field Guide for Testing Existing Photovoltaic Systems for Ground Faults and Installing Equipment to Mitigate Fire Hazards

Ground faults and arc faults are the two most common reasons for fires in photovoltaic (PV) arrays and methods exist that can mitigate the hazards. This report provides field procedures for testing PV arrays for ground faults, and for implementing high resolution ground fault and arc fault detectors in existing and new PV system designs.

Photovoltaic systems interconnected onto secondary network distribution systems

While the number of PV systems interconnected to the electric grid has increased significantly over the last decade, only recently have PV systems been installed in major metropolitan areas and tied to electric distribution secondary network systems (networks). This paper examines six cases studies of photovoltaic (PV) systems integrated into secondary network systems. The six PV systems were chosen for evaluation because they are interconnected successfully to secondary network systems located in four major U.S. Cities.