A novel approach for disaggregating photovoltaic generation in distribution networks

Distribution system operators usually lack information regarding the installed photovoltaic power in their low voltage distribution networks due to its private nature. This, together with the increasing amount of private photovoltaic installations, is compromising the optimal operation of these netw...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Taltavull Villalonga, Víctor, Sala Reig, Àlex, Bullich Massagué, Eduard|||0000-0003-4603-1868, Sumper, Andreas|||0000-0002-5628-1660, Saldaña González, Antonio Emmanuel|||0000-0002-5708-2049, Mulero Jurado, Alfons
Formato: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Recursos:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:upcommonspor::a4659cdd5694d774811258c85e491b19
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/461992
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2026.113207
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Photovoltaic power
LV distribution networks
PV power disagregation
Grid planning
Descrição
Resumo:Distribution system operators usually lack information regarding the installed photovoltaic power in their low voltage distribution networks due to its private nature. This, together with the increasing amount of private photovoltaic installations, is compromising the optimal operation of these networks. The recent blackout in Spain highlighted the potential consequences of such unmonitored distributed generation, underscoring the need for better visibility and control of photovoltaic contributions to the grid. For planning the infrastructure and the operation of these networks, it is necessary to know the amount of photovoltaic power generation they are hosting. This short communication introduces a simple and efficient methodology for disaggregating photovoltaic power generation in low voltage networks. Considering that small-scale photovoltaic installations typically do not inject reactive power, this methodology takes advantage of the existing correlation between the signed power factor and solar irradiance. The methodology is tested in multiple real Secondary Substations from a Spanish DSO, proving its effectiveness in accurately decomposing photovoltaic generation profiles.The results indicate that the nature of the consumption profiles conditions which method outperforms the other. Despite this uncertainty, both methods provide less than 10% MAPE for penetrations beyond 150%(with respect to the secondary substation peak load) with an R2 higher than 0.9 across all secondary substations.