Point-on-Wave Voltage Phase-Angle Jump Sensitivity Analysis of Grid-Connected Single-Phase Inverters

An extensive experimental analysis of the behavior of thirty-one off-the-shelf distributed photovoltaic (DPV) inverters to voltage phase angle jump (VPAJ) disturbance is done in this paper. Classification of undesirable behavior from DPV inverters is carried out based on the responses to voltage phase angle jump and identified the cause of such behavior through simulation and experimental evidence. Grid-connected inverters can respond undesirably to grid disturbance, such as disconnection and power curtailment, which can put 3-5% of demand at risk and a cumulative 3-4% grid at risk. This is a much larger contingency than before. Further, statistical analysis demonstrates the impact of such disturbances on DPV inverters in the Australian National Electricity Market. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to identify the vulnerability of inverters for VPAJ that occur at different points-on-wave (POW). This research aims to determine the scale of at-risk generation, understand how they operate, and what had to be performed to stop or reduce the risk. The ultimate impact is how to model this effect properly to guide the responses of DPV inverters, also making a significant study case internationally for systems with high penetration of DPV inverters.

Automated summary

This paper presents an extensive experimental analysis of the behavior of off-the-shelf distributed photovoltaic inverters to voltage phase angle jump disturbance. Undesirable responses from the inverters are classified and the causes are identified through simulation and experimental evidence. The research also demonstrates the impact of such disturbances on the Australian National Electricity Market and conducts a sensitivity analysis to determine the vulnerability of inverters. This study is crucial for guiding the responses and modeling of distributed photovoltaic inverters.