Photovoltaic unit allocation in synchronverter-integrated microgrids

The extensive use of fossil fuels, severe environmental implications, and increased transmission and distribution losses in traditional power networks have drawn attention to non-conventional energy sources. Photovoltaic (PV) units are currently playing a pivotal role in reducing power losses, enhancing voltage stability, and improving the reliability of power networks. However, unplanned and unregulated installation of PVs can cause major issues and challenges for power systems. These concerns include the likelihood of bidirectional power flow and the critical challenges, including frequency instability, energy losses, voltage instability, reactive power balance issues. Synchronverter (SI) is a contemporary method of addressing the frequency instability of isolated microgrids, which simulates a typical synchronous generator using the principles that control the inverter. This paper recommends a novel method of optimal PV unit sizing and placement in SI-integrated microgrids using an optimization method called the Differential Evolution Algorithm (DEA). The aim is to optimize the network nodes’ frequency deviation, active power loss, and voltage deviation. Moreover, this study assesses the SI-integrated 33-bus and 69-bus distribution networks. The findings reveal that the suggested methodology provides a suitable result by minimizing the frequency deviation, power loss, and voltage deviation with early convergence.