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International harmonization of grid connection guidelines: adequate requirements for the prevention of unintentional islanding
Author(s) -
Woyte Achim,
De Brabandere Karel,
Van Dommelen Daniel,
Belmans Ronnie,
Nijs Johan
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/pip.503
Subject(s) - islanding , grid , harmonization , distributed generation , reliability engineering , computer science , risk analysis (engineering) , engineering , electrical engineering , business , mathematics , physics , geometry , renewable energy , acoustics
Islanding is still one of the major controversial subjects in the international harmonization of grid connection requirements for distributed generation, and particularly photovoltaics. As long as islanding is not intended in order to back up a loss of mains, it should be avoided. The present study reviews the theory of unintentional islanding and assesses the probability of occurrence of the phenomenon, based on previous studies and theoretical considerations. While islanding is virtually impossible if only a small number of distributed generation units is connected to a distribution grid, with higher distributed generation densities, the possibility of islanding becomes realistic. The risk associated with unintentional islanding is estimated, and adequate requirements for functional safety of protection devices are determined in order to ensure the necessary additional degree of safety to be introduced by an islanding prevention device. Finally, a fundamental set of requirements with regard to islanding, to be included in an international grid connection guideline, is derived from the study. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.