Design of non-interacting controllers for PV systems in distribution networks

This paper makes two contributions. Firstly, it is shown that there may exist oscillations in distribution networks with physically close photovoltaic (PV) units due to their control interactions. The main reason for oscillations is changes in the dynamics of PV units with varying solar irradiance and the decentralized tuning of control parameters for the nominal operating condition. Eigenvalue analysis, nonlinear interaction index, and time-domain simulations are used to assess the degree and impacts of dynamic interactions. Secondly, a decentralized robust control design is proposed to ensure a non-interacting and well-damped response under varying operating conditions for physically close PV units. The control design process uses an estimate of changes in the model due to variations in solar irradiations, changing electric loads, and the dynamics of the physically close PV units. A minimally conservative method is used to capture the estimate as a norm-bounded uncertainty. Time-domain simulations on a test distribution system verify the predictions of the interaction analysis and demonstrate the performance of the proposed robust controller under different system contingencies.