Perrett, Dylan E. (2023) Reactive Power Contributions of Grid-Connected Solar. [USQ Project]
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Abstract
A government commitment to net zero emission in Australia by 2050. An increase in renewable energy generation throughout the electricity grid and a reduction of synchronous thermal generation. The exponential growth in rooftop grid-connected solar photovoltaic penetrations. The characteristic of renewable energies can often be intermittent, and diurnal output fastened by direction to go green can lead to temporal mismatches between the balance of power generation and consumption. One of the fastest-growing forms of renewables is end-user grid-connected rooftop solar. The use of solar photovoltaics has many advantages but, correspondingly, comes with disadvantages that require significant attention. Additionally, there is a significant increasing trend in capacitive reactive power flow in the electricity grid, especially within the distribution network. The research in this dissertation focused on examining and analysing the reactive power contribution of grid-connected solar.
The project aimed to examine industry monitoring data from an aggregate end-user load and isolated solar system perspective to establish reactive power contributions from the solar system. In addition, the objectives were to detect and model operational reactive power within compliance with Australian standard 4777.2, Grid connection of energy systems via inverters, Part 2: Inverter requirements. In particular, the reactive contributions during low irradiance conditions. The method applied was to link industry monitoring and irradiance data together and compare three scenarios to highlight any significant trends to benefit regression modelling.
The initial literature review discovered that while there is considerable knowledge regarding the optimal operation of grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems, there is less research during the less-than-optimal operating conditions. While the impact of one solar system may not be significant, the cumulative effect of increasing penetrations demands more attention. Dissertation results established during these low irradiance events; the cumulative impact is generating substantial trends in the capacitive reactive power flow. While most contributions are within compliance, there are moments of un-constrained reactive contribution. Finally, regression models were generated to characterise the impact of reactive power contributions during these low irradiance conditions. The simulations will support understanding the contributions of increasing penetrations of photovoltaic systems in the distribution network.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Engineering (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Brown, Jason; Kennedy, Joel |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic) |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Oct 2025 01:33 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Oct 2025 01:33 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Reactive Power; Capacitive Power Flow; Low Irradiance; Solar photovoltaic |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52988 |
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