PCC Remote Sensing for DER Voltage and Power Setpoint Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed energy resources (DERs) installed at a distance from the point of common coupling (PCC) face challenges in meeting voltage and power quality standards due to impedance and transformer losses, leading to discrepancies between the PoC and PCC.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for controlling DERs by remote sensing at the PCC to adjust PoC setpoints, using sensors to measure electrical parameters and a controller to generate control signals that compensate for losses and ensure compliance with PCC setpoints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DERs are installed at a distance from the PCC to provide localized generation, then clean energy and reliability are improved, but voltage levels and power quality deteriorate due to impedance and losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and applies compensation values to PoC setpoints before controlling the DER. The controller determines compensation values based on electrical parameters measured at the PCC, then adjusts PoC setpoints in advance to account for expected voltage drops and power losses, ensuring that the DER output compensates for impedance effects before they degrade power quality at the PCC.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the controller continuously measures electrical parameters (voltage, current, power) at the PCC, compares them against target values, and dynamically adjusts the PoC setpoints accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that despite impedance and losses in the interconnection, the PCC maintains required voltage levels and power quality by continuously adapting the DER control based on actual PCC conditions.
2Ease of operation
If DER controllers regulate voltage and power at the PoC, then local control simplicity is improved, but adherence to grid codes at the PCC deteriorates due to losses between PoC and PCC
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the PCC grid code requirements and the PoC DER control. Instead of directly controlling at PoC to meet PCC targets, the controller translates PCC electrical parameters into adjusted PoC setpoints that account for the intermediate impedance and losses. This intermediary translation layer maintains the simplicity of local PoC control while ensuring PCC compliance through setpoint adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters from direct PoC voltage/power regulation to adjusted PoC setpoints that incorporate compensation values. The controller modifies the setpoint parameters based on PCC measurements and calculated compensation factors, transforming the control approach to account for impedance effects without complicating the basic DER control architecture.
3Measurement precision
If remote sensing at the PCC is implemented to measure electrical parameters, then control accuracy at the PCC is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional sensing and calculation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions using the same PCC measurement infrastructure: it measures electrical parameters for both monitoring and control purposes, calculates compensation values, generates adjusted setpoints, and controls the DER. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensing systems and minimizes overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for compensating for differences in conditions at the PoC and PCC by determining an adjustment to a PoC setpoint that adjusts a value of an electrical parameter at the PCC so as to approximate or equal a PCC setpoint. In some examples, for voltage regulation and protection functions (mandatory trips), the voltages and/or currents are sensed at the PCC (remote sensing) and fed to a DER controller to produce the appropriate action. For power delivery at the PCC, active and reactive power can be sensed at the PCC and measurements are fed to the DER controller.