Voltage control with distributed generation and its impact on losses in LV distribution systems

This paper investigates the effect of DG, with and without reactive power control, on power losses in LV distribution feeders. The effect of load and feeder parameters, DG location and power factor is considered. A calculation method is presented and explained in detail, which proves to give accurate results as compared with one commercial load flow program. Moreover, simplified expressions are derived, which can be used to calculate the most appropriate size of DG unit during planning and/or to select the most appropriate mode of operation (active power generated) for an existing DG unit.