Quantifying Photovoltaic DC Interference on Buried Pipelines: Exploring Theory, Conducting Experiments, and Field Testing

This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of the challenges linked to photovoltaic (PV) DC interference affecting buried pipelines. Although the ISO 21857:2021 standard acknowledges these challenges, a continued lack of awareness persists, primarily due to the industry's longstanding emphasis on PV energy-centric issues, rather than a consideration of their potential impacts on nearby third-party infrastructure. The study delves into the intricacies of quantifying PV DC interference on buried pipelines, encompassing aspects such as low magnitude, intermittence, and the static nature of this phenomenon. Drawing insights from field-testing a 5.5 MW Photovoltaic Park intersecting a pipeline, alongside theoretical frameworks, controlled experiments, and modeling, the research underscores the necessity of developing new strategies for monitoring PV interference on pipelines. Furthermore, the paper discusses the challenges involved in a priori establishing a safety distance between PV parks and buried pipelines. In its entirety, the paper contributes to comprehending and addressing the intricacies of PV DC interference near buried pipelines.