Effects of energy buffers in distribution grids with PV generation

The increased presence of photo-voltaic (PV) power generation in distribution grids has influences on the security of supply, in particular voltage stability. One of the commonly accepted control approach to remediate over-voltage situations is the absorbing of reactive power by the PV inverters. An alternative approach is to introduce energy buffering devices (e.g. batteries) into the distribution grid and to control real power charged respectively discharged from the batteries. We have simulated an examplary rural distribution grid with PV generation and energy buffering in order to study the effect on voltage distribution and power flows. © 2012 IEEE.