Simulation of modeling of multi-megawatt photovoltaic plants with high voltage direct current grid integration

Abstract

This paper develops an integrated model of multi megawatt PV plant with HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) or HVAC (High Voltage Alternating Current) network, using the specific software of power electronics PSIM. This model has been developed by functional blocks, including the photovoltaic field itself, the pertinent conversion units for the integration of each network as well as the network type for production. The models allow to obtain transmissions loss for any combination of the three variables on which they depend; network length (km), temperature (°C) and irradiance (W/m2). To verify the validity of the model and demonstrate the distribution advantages of HVDC -even for relatively low-photovoltaic power plants in comparison to the common applications currently used in HVDC networks-, a case study has been used which has led to the conclusion that the use of HVDC networks may be convenient for this type of power generation plants.