Active voltage regulation to enhance energy efficiency in distribution grids operation

Due to increasing electrification and large-scale integration of DER together with smart loads, today’s emphasis is on to reduce energy consumption and enhance energy efficiency with net zero emission in transport electrification scenarios. This paper investigates the impact of active voltage regulation in the grid operations specially on the network losses based on load consumption patterns. A section of the real Norwegian distribution grid was modelled for three different case studies. Two scenarios were simulated: the current system and a future scenario where sixty percent of households have EV charging infrastructure. Consumption pattern, voltage level and losses were monitored and analysed. For EV integration, there was some deviation in loss profile due to randomness of EV demand. It can be concluded that load type and composition pattern is crucial for power losses in the grid, which is important to consider integrating flexible sources to the distribution grid. By regulating the active voltage level within regulatory limits, DSO could lower the operational costs and thus also the cost for end-users, subsequently will enhance the overall energy efficiency in the system.