Induction Voltage Regulators in Distribution Networks
Induction Voltage Regulators in Distribution Networks
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voltages in a three-phase system [7]. and the lifespan are reduced. No-load tap changers, even when
they do not suffer from wear, require the transformer to be
3) Power Electronic Substation frequently de-energized and energized, which can cause harm
This solution may be utilized in distribution networks and due to transients and are not very effective for voltage
has been considered for voltage regulation in each feeder [8], regulation.
[25]. The main advantage of this system is the possibility of Certainly, solutions that are based on power electronics
providing a continuously adjustable output voltage on each have a very short time response, which enables a precise
feeder. Associated with the energy storage and line drop voltage regulation. However, they are limited regarding the
compensation for each phase, the power electronic substation overload capacity and the amount of transient overvoltage
voltage regulation can be very effective, especially when withstand. The on-load tap changer has a substantially slower
applied for different consumer profiles, such as residential and time response, which affects the voltage regulation but has a
commercial profiles. larger overload capacity and transient overvoltage withstand.
The induction voltage regulator is capable of these positive
4) Active Power Filter aspects, such as time response, overload capacity and
This method compensates the reactive energy, which withstanding overvoltage.
eliminates any capacitive or reactive component and enables
voltage regulation. This equipment can also operate as a IV. INDUCTION VOLTAGE REGULATOR
harmonic filter. Nevertheless, this method is most efficient for The application [29], [30] and model [31] of induction
circuits with high X/R ratios, which what high-voltage voltage regulators were mainly studied in early 20th century. In
networks have. Distribution networks have low X/R ratios, that period, this type of regulator was also employed in
which means that this compensation will excessively increase distribution networks. However, as the on-load tap changers
ohmic losses and decrease the voltage regulation effectiveness became more common and cheaper, they eventually replaced
[8], [26]. the induction type. Nevertheless, for electrical equipment
testing, the induction voltage regulator is still being used [32].
5) Unified Power Quality Conditioner Due to its intrinsic characteristics, the induction voltage
This system is composed of a series and shunt active filters,
regulator becomes very interesting from a technical point of
which are connected by a DC common link. This equipment
view. In terms of assembly, this kind of regulator is very
can eliminate harmonics, balance loads and correct the power
similar to the induction motor, with primary and secondary
factor, which improves the voltage regulation [27]. Usually,
windings that are each located in the stator or the rotor, as
the best location for these conditioners are at the half feeder
most convenient. Therefore, once the relative position between
length, which is denominated as mid feeder compensators [8].
the stator and the rotor is changed, an angular displacement
can be obtained among the primary and secondary windings
6) Electromechanical tap changers
for the single three-phase regulators. From the stator and rotor
Tap changers can switch among a certain number of steps,
phasor composition, the result is an adjustable output voltage.
which enables the selection of an appropriate position, which
For the double three-phase regulators, no angular
adjusts the number of turns and corresponding voltage. Tap
displacement is produced, because it consists of two identical
changers are divided into on-load tap changers, as shown in
single regulators with the secondaries connected in series and
Figure 3, which can automatically operate under load, and no-
canceling each other phase-shift. For single-phase regulators,
load tap changers, which are usually operated manually when
changing the relative position between the windings produces
the transformer is fully de-energized.
a greater or lesser linked flux, which varies the induced
voltage amplitude [33].
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In Figure 4, the cross-section of the single-phase induction null, therefore, the input voltage V1 is the resulting output
regulator and the displacement angle Θ between the stator and voltage. When the secondary winding is in the opposite
the rotor are shown. direction of the primary winding (Θ = 180°), then the voltages
The compensation winding is short-circuited and has the are also in phase opposition, which produces an output voltage
ability to balance the magnetomotive force between primary that is the difference between V1 and E2.
and secondary, especially when they are orthogonal with Note that the induced voltage E2 always has the same phase
respect to each other. If this compensation does not exist, the as the input source; so only its amplitude is modified
impedance between the primary windings and secondary according to the displacement since the linked flux is
windings dramatically increases when these windings are changing. Moreover, the regulator can be designed with a
orthogonally displaced, since no linked flux exists among broad range of output voltage because it is only related to the
them. Consequently, the device regulation also increases, secondary number of turns. For instance, if the primary and
which is not desirable. secondary windings have the same number of turns, the output
From the operational perspective, the induction voltage voltage ranges from zero to twice the input voltage in the
regulator is usually connected as an autotransformer, as shown autotransformer connection.
in Figure 5. Considering these properties, this type of regulator has the
capability of continuously regulating the voltage, only by
changing the relative position between the stator and the rotor.
Furthermore, this equipment does not present any wear since it
is brushless and does not have any moving contacts. Another
feature is that the induction regulator allows great flexibility to
regulate a large voltage range, which takes into account the
selection of the turn ratio between the primary winding and
the secondary winding. In addition to these features, it also has
a larger overload capacity compared with its electronic device
counterparts because it has a higher thermal time constant.
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coincident. Moreover, the amplitude variation in the active whole simulated period of 24 hours for each scenario of
power that is supplied from the substation increases as the distributed generation level is shown in Table 1. Note that no
distributed generation level is increased. voltage control strategy was considered for any of the
The maximum and minimum voltage profiles for each node photovoltaic panel inverters, such as reactive power injection.
during the 24-hour simulated period for the scenario of the Therefore, the simulation only considers the active power
60% penetration level are shown in Figure 13. Several nodes injection, which is the most important component for the
are very close to the upper and/or lower voltage limits of 1.05 owner payback.
pu and 0.95 pu, respectively.
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Table 1 – Total number of tap changes as a function of the distributed will be addressed in future research.
generation level
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The resulting voltages as a function of time for node 26 are improvement and easily achievable with the induction
shown in Figures 19 and 20, for the scenario without regulator.
distributed generation and distributed generation at the 60%
level, respectively. Hence, a comparison with the results from VII. CONCLUSION
Figures 14 and 15, which were obtained for the conventional With the growth in renewable distributed generation,
voltage regulators with tap changers, is possible. As expected, especially in distribution networks, the study of power quality
the voltage variation amplitude is substantially smaller, since indicators, mainly those related to voltage level compliance
the induction voltage regulator is continuously regulating within established limits, become imperative. Therefore, the
voltage to the reference level with very fine control. voltage profile along the distribution network has to be fully
A comparison of the results shown in Figures 19 and 20 analyzed in possible distributed generation scenarios.
reveal some periods with an abrupt voltage variation at the Furthermore, the utilities have to be aware of any likely
60% level of distributed generation. However, these periods dangerous scenarios and carry out preventive measures to
are limited to a very small amplitude. Problems with any ensure that voltage levels are maintained within acceptable
connected load are not expected. Since conventional voltage standards.
regulators have a control with a larger allowed voltage range Based on this context, the technical aspects of voltage
and a delay before tap change, these abrupt voltage variations regulation due to photovoltaic generation variability were
may occur in a broader voltage range and for a longer period addressed in this paper with a focus on primary distribution
of time, which impact the power quality and may harm any networks and conventional tap changer-based regulators. The
connected load. paper also highlighted the premature wear or lifespan
reduction of this type of regulator due to more tap changes in
several renewable distributed generation scenarios.
The IEEE 123 node test feeder in Figure 7 was assessed in
terms of the voltage variation for different degrees of
photovoltaic generation. The simulation results indicated a
drastic increase in the variation of the substation active power,
as the distributed generation level increases. Consequently, the
voltage across the network also varies and the number of tap
changes increases, which reduces the lifetime of the voltage
regulators. Therefore, the need for network reinforcement
using new equipment or control strategies to maintain voltage
levels within limits become evident.
Among the available techniques to mitigate the impacts
caused by renewable distributed energy fluctuations, the
induction voltage regulator was not explored by recent
literature. This type of regulator is capable of continuously
Figure 19 – Voltage on node 26 without distributed generation and with controlling voltage in a narrow band by only varying the
induction voltage regulators
relative position between the stator and the rotor. This
regulator does not present any wear since it is brushless and
does not have any moving contacts. Another interesting aspect
is the substantial flexibility to regulate large voltage ranges,
since it is related to the turn ratio between primary windings
and secondary windings. Compared with conventional tap
changer-based regulator, the results indicated that induction
type greatly improved the voltage profile.
Therefore, the induction voltage regulator provides an
extremely effective solution for coupling with the renewable
distributed generation side effects. A continuous and precise
voltage control, which improves the power quality and voltage
profile along the primary distribution network were observed.
On the other hand, the expected induction voltage regulator
cost is approximately 30% higher than the conventional
voltage regulators with arc quenching in oil. However, this
Figure 20 - Voltage on node 26 at 60% level of distributed generation and
initially higher cost can be compensated by the lower
with induction voltage regulators maintenance costs as the induction type is free of contacts that
are switched on load. Tap changer contacts are subject to
While voltage violations are usually allowed for a couple of deterioration every time a tap change occurs, which is the
minutes, correcting them in a matter of seconds is certainly an main reason for a limited number of operations and a decisive
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VIII. APPENDIX
An induction voltage regulator prototype was built and
successfully tested as a proof of concept. Figures 21, 22, 23
and 24 show the cross-section, stator, rotor and the fully
assembled prototype, respectively.
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