Impact of Localised Energy Resources on electric power distribution systems

The UK's energy system is majorly centralised but the move from a centralised energy system to a decentralized one could be significant, reshaping the entire system. The penetration of Localised Energy Resources (LER) on the distribution networks will have significant effect on voltage profile. The impact of LER on low voltage distribution network was investigated to determine the amount of DGs and EVs that can be connected to the low voltage network in order to maintain network parameters within limits. The LV network was modelled using NEPLAN simulation software program. Clusters of DGs and EVs were considered within three Localised Energy Systems (LES) defined as LES1 with predominantly commercial load, LES2 with predominantly residential load and LES3 with a mixture of residential and commercial load. The results show that in LES1 the customers could install a maximum of 264kW DG generation capacity; in LES2 the customers could install a maximum of 316kW DG generation capacity and in LES3 the customers could install a maximum of 149.6kW DG generation capacity to keep the network parameter within limits at minimum loading conditions of the network. Also the charging of EVs in the low voltage networks was examined, and it was found that for EV uptake level the steady state voltage was found to be within the acceptable network limit.