Enhancing Hosting Capacity Within Standard Operational Limits: Single-to-Uniform DG Placement and 100% BESS-Capacitor Incorporation for Reverse Power Flow Mitigation

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Chinese explanation / 中文解读

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Original abstract

The extensive penetration of distributed generation (DG), particularly solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, into low voltage distribution networks (LVDN) has introduced technical challenges such as reverse power flow (RPF), excessive voltage rise, and thermal overloading of feeder components, all of which limit the hosting capacity (HC) of the network. This work evaluates a standard IEEE-33 bus radial distribution network through steady-state load flow simulations to compare two DG allocation strategies: a single lumped DG at the weakest bus, and the same DG capacity distributed uniformly among all load buses. For both strategies, the hosting capacity was identified by incrementally increasing DG penetration until violation of voltage limits, thermal loading, harmonic distortion, voltage stability index (VSI), or reverse power flow at the substation. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and capacitor banks were then integrated at DG-connected buses to assess further improvement. Results show that single lumped DG placement causes reverse power flow and localized overvoltage at penetration levels below 5%, whereas uniform distribution delays reverse power flow and supports penetration levels above 50%. Complete (100%) BESS integration together with capacitor bank deployment, combined with uniform DG allocation, achieved the highest hosting capacity while maintaining permissible voltage, loading, and power-flow conditions. The findings demonstrate that uniform DG allocation, together with strategic BESS and capacitor bank integration, offers electric distribution companies a practical and economical planning solution for accommodating higher renewable DG penetration without extensive feeder upgrades, while improving voltage stability and overall power quality.

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