Analysis of a Power System Distributed Energy Resources (DES) Management System

The integration of distributed energy resources into power networks is critical in meeting the growing demand for clean and reliable electricity. This study analyses the operation of a distributed energy resources management system with emphasis on voltage regulation using VQ droop control. An IEEE 13-bus distribution network was modelled in OpenDSS, with MATLAB used to implement the droop algorithm for reactive power control. Simulation results reveal that increased penetration of solar photovoltaic resources causes significant voltage rise and fluctuations, alongside an increase in network losses. Without control, a 100 kVA integration produced a 1.4% rise in maximum per unit voltage and a 321% variation in real power, highlighting the destabilising effect of unmanaged DERs. With VQ droop control applied, these deviations were restricted to 0.095% for voltage and 0.89% for real power, showing clear improvements in network stability. The study confirms the effectiveness of droop control in maintaining voltage within limits (1.05, 0.95 p.u), balancing active and reactive power flow, and reducing operational risks. The findings establish VQ droop control as a practical and scalable solution for enhancing the reliability of distribution networks with high levels of renewable penetration.