Analysis of tolerable capacity limits of intermittent photovoltaic power connected to the Namibian national electricity grid

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Date
2021
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems are being utilized at an increasing level worldwide. Even though the increasing addition of intermittent PV power to the grid systems may lead to grid instability, PV systems feeding power into the Namibian electricity grid system are on the increase. The purpose of the study was to analyse the ability of the Namibian electricity grid system to accommodate intermittent solar PV power and to determine the capacity limit beyond which the Namibian electricity grid system will become unstable due to an increase in intermittent solar PV systems feeding power into the grid system. Data of interest was obtained from collected reports, journal articles, and other documents. This data was analyzed using quantitative methodological approaches and further classified, presented, and discussed. The Namibian grid system is considered strong when certain busbars achieve the SCR of 10 and the majority of the Namibian grid busbars can only connect less than 10MWof intermittent renewable electricity capacity without violating the short circuit ratio (SCR) limit. The capacity limits of intermittent solar PV power for the Namibian national grid system was calculated to be in the range of 38% to 53.4%. This study recommends that more research work and investigation from the perspective of engineering application and academic research are clearly required for more analysis regarding the strength and capacity limits of intermittent PV power of the Namibian grid system.
Description
A mini thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Renewable Energy)
Keywords
Capacity limits, Intermittent, Photovoltaic power, Electricity grid, Stability
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