Impacts of microgrids with renewables on secondary distribution networks

High penetration of distributed generation (DG) in secondary (low-voltage) distribution networks (SDN) is one of the primary challenges of network operators. Particularly in radial LV networks, renewable intermittency and bidirectional power flow may cause critical problems such as under/over voltages, line overloads and high energy losses. System operators usually consider the worst-case scenarios for the assessment of the impacts of new integrations and usually they prefer passive methods to mitigate the negative effects. However, analysis of daily operation with high resolution, stochastic DG supply and residential demand profiles can reveal both the occurrence rates and the severities of the critical events, while paving the way for the development of active mitigation methods. This study is focused on detailed daily operation analysis of SDNs with renewable-based microgrids. Seasonal DG output and residential demand profiles throughout a day were simulated using a virtual test bed to investigate the critical cases.