Impact of fuel cell-based embedded generation on distribution networks

Modern distribution systems include the presence of generation units, namely Embedded Generation (EG), that can affect the Power Quality (PQ) levels inside the systems. This paper concerns with the analysis of PQ effects linked to the installation of fuel cell based production systems. Site and system indices are proposed to quantify these effects in terms of slow voltage variations, harmonic pollution and voltage dips. Tests on a real 17-bus distribution network are performed to demonstrate how the EG can modify PQ levels.