DER Flexible Interconnection Framework and Case Study

Abstract

Active power management can increase the amount of PV that a system can accommodate by reducing the output of that PV system when distribution grid conditions are unfavorable. This reduction of output is known as curtailment and will reduce the production of a solar power plant. This option may be preferable to utilities and plant developers that want to deploy systems at scales that exceed the grid’s hosting capacity. Active power management and the systems that support it could be considered “non-wires” alternatives to traditional “wires” upgrades. The full suite of wires and non-wires solutions provide utilities and PV developers with flexible interconnection options. This paper focuses on quantifying the impact that various active power management control schemes have on PV production and curtailment.