Smart Grids Solutions for a Better Integration of RES to Distribution Networks

Over the past few years, distribution network operators have been faced with a new challenge: that of accommodating an ever-increasing amount of renewable generation, which can represent a significant proportion of the consumption drawn from the same networks. This considerably alters network operation, and in particular the issue of controlling the voltage level supplied to customers. Smart grid solutions provide some technical answers to these problems. France, and in particular Enedis, which manages 95% of the country's distribution networks, has for several years been committed to a smart grids roadmap with two major objectives in mind: firstly, to modernize the network and enhance the performance of its professions, and secondly, to support the players in the power system in the energy transition. In line with this second objective, Enedis has developed, tested and deployed smart grid solutions for voltage and reactive power management in HVA, but also in LV at a less mature stage, enabling better integration of renewable energies (RE) into distribution networks. After an overview of renewable energies connected to the public distribution network and an introduction to the regulatory context and the regional grid connection schemes for renewable energies (S3REnR) in particular, this article presents various solutions at different stages of maturity implemented in France: local voltage regulation using the reactive power of HV and LV connected producers, coordinated HV voltage regulation at the source substation level, intelligent connection offers with modulated HV power, and a simulation tool for assessing the network impacts of one's LV connection currently under development. Following the development of solutions and the implementation of demonstrators, the most mature solutions have now entered the industrialization phase and are being deployed nationwide, in a targeted manner to optimize their technical and economic value.