Voltage unbalance mitigation using a distributed generator

Abstract

The paper presents a new technique to mitigate the voltage unbalance in LV distribution grids using distributed generation (DG). Usually, public LV networks supply many single phase consumers; in this case, the unbalanced line currents produce the unbalance of standard symmetrical supply voltage system. This voltage system negatively influences other three-phase loads operating in the same system, i.e. motors, transformers, capacitor banks etc. Consequently, the utility must guarantee to these consumers a balanced voltage system that; this condition can be obtained by using distributed generation. The paper contains aspects regarding the unbalance in LV distribution grids, distributed generation and analyzes the opportunity of involving DG in voltage unbalance mitigation.