Assessing the Impacts of DER on Customer Voltages Using Smart Meter-Driven Low Voltage Line Models

Abstract

The rapid adoption of distributed energy resources (DER) in low voltage (LV) networks is driving the need for distribution companies to assess their impacts on customer voltages in any demand/generation condition (also known as what-if analyses). Although this can be done by running conventional power flow analyses, there are two main challenges. The first one is that LV line models (three-phase LV feeder lines and single-phase service lines) are needed. However, the corresponding impedances are often poorly recorded by distribution companies. In other words, the information is incomplete or not available. The second challenge is that, if such studies are needed for operational purposes (cal..