Abstract
As the grid-connected photovoltaic power conditioning systems (PVPCS) are installed in many residential areas, these have raised potential problems of network protection on electrical power system. One of the numerous problems is an Islanding phenomenon. There has been an argument that it may be a non-issue in practice because the probability of islanding is extremely low. However, there are three counter-arguments: First, the low probability of islanding is based on the assumption of 100% power matching between the PVPCS and the islanded local loads. In fact, an islanding can be easily formed even without 100% power matching (the power mismatch could be up to 30% if only traditional protections are used, e.g. under/over voltage/frequency). The 30% power-mismatch condition will drastically increase the islanding probability. Second, even with a larger power mismatch, the time for voltage or frequency to deviate sufficiently to cause a trip, plus the time required to execute a trip (particularly if conventional switchgear is required to operate), can easily be greater than the typical re-close time on the distribution circuit. Third, the low-probability argument is based on the study of PVPCS. Especially, if the output power of PVPCS equals to power consumption of local loads, it is very difficult for the PVPCS to sustain the voltage and frequency in an islanding. Unintentional islanding of PVPCS may result in power-quality issues, interference to grid-protection devices, equipment damage, and even personnel safety hazards. Therefore the verification of anti-islanding performance is strongly needed. In this paper, improved RPV method is proposed through considering power quality and anti-islanding capacity of grid-connected single-phase PVPCS in IEEE Std 1547 ("Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources to Electric Power Systems"). And the simulation results are verified.