Evaluation of the Impact of Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant Integration into the Grid: A Case Study of the Western Transmission Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Rising electricity demand and the need to reduce pollutant emissions highlight the importance of renewable energy, especially solar power. While most studies on photovoltaic (PV) integration focus on developed countries, least developed and developing countries such as the Democratic Republic of Con...
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/3/639 |
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| author | Kevin Kiangebeni Lusimbakio Tonton Boketsu Lokanga Pierre Sedi Nzakuna Vincenzo Paciello Jean-Pierre Nzuru Nsekere Obed Tshimanga Tshipata |
| author_facet | Kevin Kiangebeni Lusimbakio Tonton Boketsu Lokanga Pierre Sedi Nzakuna Vincenzo Paciello Jean-Pierre Nzuru Nsekere Obed Tshimanga Tshipata |
| author_sort | Kevin Kiangebeni Lusimbakio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Rising electricity demand and the need to reduce pollutant emissions highlight the importance of renewable energy, especially solar power. While most studies on photovoltaic (PV) integration focus on developed countries, least developed and developing countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) face particular challenges due to fragile grid infrastructure. This work evaluates the technical and operational impacts of PV integration into the western grid of the DRC using DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2021 SP2 simulations. It examines penetration levels from 10% to 50% based on a 2012 MW baseline, and evaluates power losses, short-circuit ratios (SCRs), grid stability, harmonic distortions, and voltage oscillations. Results reveal that moderate penetration levels (10–20%) reduce active power losses by 25% while maintaining stability. However, above 30% penetration, critical challenges arise, including a drop of the SCR below the minimum recommended value of 3, prolonged voltage oscillations, and increased harmonic distortions, resulting from the reduced overall inertia of the grid following the increase in PV power from inverters without inertia. These findings emphasize the need for targeted solutions like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs), Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOMs), and harmonic filters. This work provides foundational insights for PV integration in fragile grids of LDCs and developing countries. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-80c896a1df75444a863ff101e53611cf |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-80c896a1df75444a863ff101e53611cf2025-08-20T02:48:02ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-01-0118363910.3390/en18030639Evaluation of the Impact of Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant Integration into the Grid: A Case Study of the Western Transmission Network in the Democratic Republic of CongoKevin Kiangebeni Lusimbakio0Tonton Boketsu Lokanga1Pierre Sedi Nzakuna2Vincenzo Paciello3Jean-Pierre Nzuru Nsekere4Obed Tshimanga Tshipata5IEEE Member, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the CongoSociété Nationale d’Électricité (SNEL SA), Kinshasa/Gombe BP 500, Democratic Republic of the CongoDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, ItalyDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa XI BP 127, Democratic Republic of the CongoDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa XI BP 127, Democratic Republic of the CongoRising electricity demand and the need to reduce pollutant emissions highlight the importance of renewable energy, especially solar power. While most studies on photovoltaic (PV) integration focus on developed countries, least developed and developing countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) face particular challenges due to fragile grid infrastructure. This work evaluates the technical and operational impacts of PV integration into the western grid of the DRC using DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2021 SP2 simulations. It examines penetration levels from 10% to 50% based on a 2012 MW baseline, and evaluates power losses, short-circuit ratios (SCRs), grid stability, harmonic distortions, and voltage oscillations. Results reveal that moderate penetration levels (10–20%) reduce active power losses by 25% while maintaining stability. However, above 30% penetration, critical challenges arise, including a drop of the SCR below the minimum recommended value of 3, prolonged voltage oscillations, and increased harmonic distortions, resulting from the reduced overall inertia of the grid following the increase in PV power from inverters without inertia. These findings emphasize the need for targeted solutions like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs), Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOMs), and harmonic filters. This work provides foundational insights for PV integration in fragile grids of LDCs and developing countries.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/3/639photovoltaic penetrationgrid stabilitypower transmissionDIgSILENT power factorypower qualityrenewable energy |
| spellingShingle | Kevin Kiangebeni Lusimbakio Tonton Boketsu Lokanga Pierre Sedi Nzakuna Vincenzo Paciello Jean-Pierre Nzuru Nsekere Obed Tshimanga Tshipata Evaluation of the Impact of Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant Integration into the Grid: A Case Study of the Western Transmission Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo Energies photovoltaic penetration grid stability power transmission DIgSILENT power factory power quality renewable energy |
| title | Evaluation of the Impact of Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant Integration into the Grid: A Case Study of the Western Transmission Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_full | Evaluation of the Impact of Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant Integration into the Grid: A Case Study of the Western Transmission Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of the Impact of Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant Integration into the Grid: A Case Study of the Western Transmission Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of the Impact of Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant Integration into the Grid: A Case Study of the Western Transmission Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_short | Evaluation of the Impact of Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant Integration into the Grid: A Case Study of the Western Transmission Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_sort | evaluation of the impact of photovoltaic solar power plant integration into the grid a case study of the western transmission network in the democratic republic of congo |
| topic | photovoltaic penetration grid stability power transmission DIgSILENT power factory power quality renewable energy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/3/639 |
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