The Deployment of Low Carbon Technologies in Modern Distribution Networks

Most modern distribution networks are experiencing an energy evolution to satisfy the need of sustainable, secure and clean sources of energy. New technologies are driving this transition, including photovoltaics, energy storage systems and electric vehicles. The integration and deployment of these technologies in the distribution network is having a positive impact on system efficiency. However, their behaviour in the power system introduces technical challenges such as reverse power flow, voltage variation and other power quality issues. The integration of these technologies requires careful planning and operation to maintain or improve system stability and reliability. This work reviews the challenges imposed by deploying these low carbon technologies on low voltage systems. The main contributions of this study can be summarized as follows: Firstly, it generally reviews the solution methodologies and power management strategies applied in the distribution network in the presence of low carbon technologies. Secondly, it outlines some important facts and statistics about their deployment. Finally, it discusses the energy evolution of the Northern Ireland network highlighting challenges and solutions and providing recommendations for future research.