Impacts of Distributed Generation on the Residential Distribution Network Operation

Distributed Generation (DG) is expected to play a key role in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors of the power system. Distributed Generation (DG) provides an alternative to the traditional electricity sources i.e. oil, gas, coal, water etc. and can also be used to enhance the current electrical system. The technologies for DG are based on reciprocating engines, photovoltaic, fuel cells, combustion gas turbines, micro turbines and wind turbines. The DGs are becoming increasingly popular due to their low emission, low noise levels and high efficiency. Some of the main applications of DG are to provide support and reliability to the power system in a grid-connected mode or isolated mode. With the growing use of DG, it is very important to study its impact on residential distribution network operation. In this research, the impacts of installing DG on a residential distribution circuit are explored. The work is focused on analyzing the impact of DG installation on distribution network operation including voltage analysis, electric losses and reliability of the system. First, various DG penetration levels and the impact of distributing the DG across several locations are explored. Secondly, the impacts of installing DG on any one phase on the voltage profiles of the unbalanced three-phase distribution network are investigated. Thirdly, the losses of the system are analyzed. Next, the reliability analysis (SAIDI, CAIDI, ENS, and AENS) of the system is performed by installing DGs as backup generators. Different DG penetration levels, locations and the impacts of installing one large-scale DG on the main distribution line vs. several small-scale randomly distributed DGs are explored. A residential distribution circuit in Blacksburg,