Analyzing the Impacts of Distributed Generation Integration on Distribution Network: A Corridor Towards Smart Grid Implementation in Pakistan

Renewable power generation sources used as distributed generations (DGs) are increasing rapidly all around the world. Apart from environmental advantages, DGs result in reduction of power losses, improvement of bus voltages, increased system reliability, stability, power quality and ease of operation. In this work, the impacts of DG on power losses, bus voltages and short circuit level of the power system are investigated with different case strategies of DG interconnections. With every strategic case, the DG impacts on power system are analyzed by network simulation through Power System Simulator Siemens Network Calculator software (PSS SINCAL). Significant power losses and voltage improvement were observed depending on size and strategic locations of DG interconnections. Slight increase in network short circuit levels is observed within permissible limits of protection devices. The communication prospects of DG and Smart Grid Integration are also discussed to enable the monitoring, control of interconnected DG units with a two-way electricity and information flow to develop an automated distributed energy network. Finally, an attempt is made to strategize a simple and gradually applicable model of controlling the network conditions through the integration of DGs. Using the state of art of DG integration models, the gradually implementable smart grid system is proposed for under developed countries, like Pakistan.