Integrating Distributed Generation into Power Systems

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Analyze the operational and protection impacts of distributed generation on utility and customer‐side power systems
• Evaluate grid stability risks associated with bi‑directional power flow, fault behavior, and reactive power control
• Apply interconnection standards and utility requirements to safely integrate distributed generation resources
• Assess protection, monitoring, and control strategies for distributed and remote generation systems
• Make informed engineering decisions related to voltage control, harmonics, and system fault performance in DG‑connected grids

Description

As power systems evolve to accommodate increasing levels of distributed generation, engineers must navigate new technical challenges that directly affect grid reliability, safety, and compliance. Bi‑directional power flow, inverter‑based resources, and remote generation change how faults behave, how voltage is controlled, and how protection systems must be designed and operated.

This course examines how distributed generation, across utility‑scale, commercial, and residential contexts, impacts power system operation and stability. It builds on foundational power system concepts and extends them into real‑world DG scenarios, including solar, wind, and run‑of‑river generation. Emphasis is placed on fault behaviour, system protection, monitoring, and reactive power management.

Through practical analysis and applied examples, this course equips participants with a structured understanding of DG grid operation and interconnection requirements. You will gain the technical insight needed to evaluate DG integration challenges, apply relevant standards, and make sound engineering decisions in modern power systems.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• Power, electrical, and utility engineers working with distribution or generation systems
• Engineers and technologists involved in distributed generation design, review, or approval
• Technical professionals responsible for power system protection, monitoring, or grid interconnection
• Intermediate to senior practitioners seeking deeper insight into DG impacts on grid stability

Day I

Welcome, Introduction, Course Preview, Learning Outcomes and the Assessment Method

Introduction

• Course Objectives
• Course Overview

Review of Power Systems

• Single Phase
• Three Phase
• Power Factor
• Fundamentals of Synchronous Machines
• Power System Faults
• Review/introduction to symmetrical components

Overview of Traditional Power Generation and Systems

• Thermal
• Hydro
• Nuclear
• Radial Power System
• Generator
• Distributor
• Utility
• Consumer

Distributed Generation

• What is DG?
• Large scale,
• Commercial,
• Residential.
• How does DG differ from standard generation?
• DG systems, according to Hydro One

Challenges and impacts of DG on the grid

• Protection
• Operating
• Monitoring (e.g. SCADA)
• Remote and distributed power generation
• Solar Farms,
• Wind,
• Run-of-the-river (ROR)
• Etc.

Challenges to Grid Stability

• Harmonics
• Voltage Control
• Fault behaviour,
• Fault control
• Reactive power

Questions and Answers

Adjournment

Day II

Operating Solutions for a DG Grid

• Bi-directional power flow
• Protection,
• Monitoring
• Distribution system and line sizing
• Reactive power compensation
• DC generation, e.g. solar PV

Grid Connection Considerations

• Loadability
• Maximum power Transfer and Stability
• Angular Stability
• Velocity Stability
• Voltage drop considerations
• Backup power
• Generator Step-up Transformer (GSU)
• System faults

DG Grid Interconnection Requirements

• Hydro One
• Applications/forms overview
• Technical Interconnection Requirements (TIR) 2013
• IEEE Std 1547

DG System Protection

• Anti-Islanding Protection
• Example of relays
• Fault ride through
• Grid Synchronization
• Power Factor correction
• Reactive power injection
• Harmonic Filtering

Questions and Answers and Feedback to Participants on Achievement of Learning Outcomes

Final Adjournment