Allocation and smart inverter setting of ground-mounted photovoltaic power plants for the maximization of hosting capacity in distribution networks

As the integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants into distribution networks grows, quantifying the amount of PV power that distribution networks can host without harmfully impacting power quality becomes critical. This work aims to determine the best number, location, and size of PV systems to be installed on a distribution feeder, as well as the best control set-points of the PV inverters, to maximize the PV hosting capacity (HC). Therefore, a simulation-optimization framework is proposed for siting and sizing ground-mounted PV power plants equipped with smart inverters (SIs). Single (decentralized) and multiple (distributed) allocations are analyzed by considering the connection of one, two, and three PV systems. Genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) metaheuristics are employed to solve the optimization problem. The simulation-optimization framework is tested on a real-world feeder model from an Ecuadorian utility. Installing two PV systems with their SIs operating with the Volt-VAr control function yields maximum PV HC, which is increased by 32.1 % compared to a single PV power plant operating at a unity power factor. Moreover, a comparative analysis of the two metaheuristic algorithms reveals that the PSO method provides better results than GA.