Integration of Photovoltaic Energy via an Automatic Phase Switch to a SCADA System

Currently, the increase in decentralized electric generators (DEG) is causing voltage imbalances in two-phase distribution networks. Therefore, an automatic control system is needed, connected to a single phase solar power system, to automatically switch the phase of the grid distribution and improve the voltage drop levels in low voltage by taking real-time electric data. This work conducts a test on a prototype of an Automatic Phase switch (APS), which can select the optimal phase of a two- phase system with an imbalance, intending to improve the voltage profile. An exhaustive study was conducted on the logic of operation and the topology of the APS, followed by the development of the algorithm that manages the connections of the APS to the grid, based on precise data on voltage, current flow, power, and imbalance. Additionally, an interface was developed for a basic SCADA system in Matlab, allowing the visualization of the measured variables. The connections of the APS to the biphasic grid were made using off-grid and on-grid inverters in different configurations. The limitation of a biphasic inverter was also addressed by testing the switching of both the output of the inverter and the input of the APS, to ensure that the voltages were in phase to avoid short circuits. The APS system is an interface that improves the balance of the grid and achieves better performance through a SCADA system.