2014 IEEE International Conference Power & Energy (PECON)
Power System Study for Distributed Generation
Interconnection to Distribution Network- A
Malaysian Case Study
J.H.Tang, A.M.Busrah,A.K.M.Hussin
TNB Research Sdn. Bhd
Selangor, Malaysia
Abstract—This paper describes the power system study
required by Malaysian Sustainable Energy Development
Authority (SEDA) prior to the Distributed Generation (DG)
interconnection. A number of DG interconnection guideline and
document are described. A case study is used to demonstrate the
procedure of steady state analysis. Load flow analysis under
steady state conditions and short circuit analysis are discussed.
Lastly, the simulation results are presented.
Keywords—Distributed generation, load flow analysis, short
circuit analysis, power system study
I. INTRODUCTION
The Malaysian government has launched various renewable
energy (RE) programs to encourage the utilization of green
and clean energy resources such as Suria 1000, Malaysian
Building Integrated Photovoltaic (MBIPV) and Feed in Tariff
(FiT). Currently, Malaysian power generation is relying
heavily on natural gas and coal which is known causing
environmental pollution. Since the FiT program launched in
December 2011, RE developers are actively taking
opportunity in installing RE to enjoy the premium tariff
offered for every kilowatt hour energy generated from solar
photovoltaic (PV), small hydro, biomass and biogas. Up to
December 2013, approximately 130 MW of RE already
commissioned and connected to Malaysian distribution
network [1].
Both renewable and non-renewable as a DG provide
benefits to the utility grid. This includes deferring
transmission and distribution infrastructure development,
providing voltage support, and peak shaving to name a few.
However, the rising number of DG integration to the
conventional distribution network has raised a lot of concern
on the power quality, reliability and security. Some of the
technical concerns are on network voltage control, voltage
unbalance, flicker, power losses, harmonic and additional
short circuit current in the distribution network with DG. For
example DG will increase the fault current in the distribution
network [2-3].
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TENAGA
M.Z.C.Wanik
Senior Member, IEEE
University Kebangsaan Malaysia
Recently, a large number of studies have been carried out to
study the impact of DG interconnection to distribution
network. Most of the studies are focusing on power quality
issues such as voltage rise, voltage regulation, and harmonic to
name a few most important [4-6]. These studies however are
academically oriented and are not following the standard
requirement for DG interconnection as practice by utility. This
paper provides an overview of the standard procedure to
perform power system study based on the technical guidebook
for the connection of generation to distribution network [7].
This paper describes the requirement of power system study
in Malaysia for the application of DG interconnection and one
example of study is presented. Power flow, voltage magnitude,
power losses and short circuit analysis are the most important
in the study. This study is performed using commercial
available simulation software, PSS/ADEPT. This paper is
arranged in the following manner. Section II describes the
power system study required. Section III presents the
methodology of study, the required details of the distribution
networks and how to model the respective DG. The results of
the simulation study are presented in Section IV followed by
the conclusion in the final section.
II. POWER SYSTEM STUDY
For the reference of planning, design and operation of DG,
a guidebook entitles “Technical Guidebook for the Connection
of Generation to Distribution Network” [7] was published.
This guidebook describes the typical steps involved in
connecting DG plant to the distribution network. Fig 1
depicting the flow of basic procedure involved for the
application to connect DG to distribution network. Recently,
SEDA published another guidebook on the grid connected PV
generation system to LV and MV distribution network [8].
A. Power System Analysis Requirement
During the project design stage, DG developer is required
to submit the detailed information of the DG plant for power
system study (PSS). PSS is carried out to identify the need for
additional equipment and facilities such as interfacing
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 2014 IEEE International Conference Power & Energy (PECON)
transformer for interconnection and to estimate the costs. In
addition, PSS is necessary to assess the potential impact of the
respective DG on the panning and operation of the distribution
system. Network capability to accommodate the proposed DG
and the connection configuration will be determined during
this stage.
The impact varies depending on the capacity of the
generator, type of generator, location and point of connection
of the DG to the distribution network. The study is important
to identify all technical requirements prior to the
interconnection. Table 1 shows the assessment and objective
of each study which includes network analysis on voltage
profile, system adequacy, system losses and short circuit
studies.
Fig 1. Basic procedure for DG connection to distribution network [7]
B. Advance Power System Analysis Requirement
Apart from steady state power system study described
previously, advance power system study has to be carried out
for DG with capacity more than 5 MW. In this study, the
stability analysis is required to investigate and to analyze
electromechanically transient responses of the DG under
various faults conditions. Critical fault clearing time in the
distribution network has to be determined to avoid DG losing
of synchronism after long fault clearing time of protective
devices. The following contingencies/scenarios must be
evaluated and analyzed:-
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1. Three phase fault to ground on the generator
transformer.
2. Three phase fault for 500ms at the main intake
transformer secondary side followed by loss of the DG
feeder.
3. Three phase fault for 500ms on a bus in the feeder
followed by loss of section supply large load.
TABLE 1. Objective of network assessment
Assessment Objective
Network voltage To make sure the voltage does not
profile violate the statutory limit and to
identify suitable voltage and power
factor control.
System adequacy To identified any branch overload
for upgrading or reinforcement.
System losses To determine system performance
and cost estimation.
Short circuit To make sure short circuit level is
below 90% of the equipment short
circuit rating.
III. METHODOLOGY
PSS/ADEPT was used in modeling and simulation with
different scenarios. For the case study a typical distribution
network in the middle region of peninsular Malaysia is used.
A. Medium Voltage Distribution Network
Medium voltage (MV) network refers to the distribution
network at 33 kV or 11 kV. The distribution network which is
used in the case study is shown in Fig. 2. This network’s
voltage is stepped down from transmission network voltage by
two 30 MVA 132 kV/ 11 kV power transformer connected in
parallel. The power transformer which is equipped with on load
tap changer at higher voltage side is connected in wye-delta
and grounded using zig-zag transformer on lower voltage side.
Zig-zag transformer is used for creating neutral point for delta
connection (earthing purpose). The peak load and trough load
for this network are 9.9 MW and 0.7 MW respectively. Large
industrial customers are supplied through 11 kV whilst
commercial and residential customers are supplied through low
voltage which is 0.4 kV. For the purpose of the study, all loads
are assumed to be equally distributed at a power factor of 0.9
lagging.
B. Distributed Generator
DG can be classified into synchronous generator based DG
such as small hydro and inverter based DG for example solar
PV. This study however focusing only on inverter based DG
because it is the most popular type of DG in Malaysia due to
the availability of abundant sunlight. Inverter based DG
injecting lower short circuit current because current limiting
capability is included in their power electronic inverter. It is
assumed in this study a 20 MW PV generation will be
connected to main intake substation (PMU 1).
 2014 IEEE International Conference Power & Energy (PECON)

Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the distribution network

Two cluster of PV with 10 MW each will be connected to D. Description of Methodology

PMU 1L and PMU 1R respectively. The PV system has a This paper is focusing on steady state power system study
terminal voltage of 11 kV. It is connected to a step up mentioned in Section II (A). First, the power flow analysis
transformer 11kV to 33 kV and a 17 km bare overhead line to under steady state operation is performed. This is followed by
reduce the technical losses. A step down transformer reduces three phase short circuit analysis, representing the worst case
the voltage from 33 kV to 11 kV before they are connected to scenario. For the power flow analysis, peak load and trough
the 11 kV busbar at PMU 1. In this study, Hydro power load condition were studied to examine the impact of DG
generation is assumed will be delivering electrical power at interconnection. While for the short circuit analysis, peak load
power factor of 1.0. scenario is used as the trough load condition is not anticipated
to pose any greater impact comparing to peak load.
C. Transformer
The interface transformer has major influence on the short IV. CASE STUDY
circuit contributed by DG to the distribution network and
A. Power Flow Analysis
therefore its parameters particular positive and zero sequence
impedance must be reasonably modeled [7]. Typical Power flow analysis was performed to determine the
transformer impedance as per IEC 76 is shown in Table 2. direction of power flow in the distribution network with the
During the simulations, the zero sequence impedance is interconnection of the proposed DG plant. This would help to
assumed to be the same with the positive sequence. The evaluate the adequacy of existing distribution network to
grounding of the start point of the interface transformer will absorb the capacity of the proposed DG plant. The potential of
affect the zero sequence current. The minimum impedance is reverse power flow from distribution network to transmission
therefore used during the steady state study for maximum network can be detected in this stage. In addition, the voltage
possible fault current contribute from DG. levels at each bus were simulated to make sure no violation of
voltage statutory limits which is ±5% under normal operating
TABLE 2. Typical transformer impedance conditions.
No MVA Range Positive sequence Fig 3 shows that the existing distribution network is not
Impedance capable to absorb all the DG generation capacity as the load
1 Up to 0 .630 4.00 demand is too low. When the load demand is less than the DG
2 0.631 - 1.250 5.00 generation capacity, there will be a reverse power flow from
3 1.250 - 3.150 6.25 the distribution network to transmission network occurred.
4 3.151 - 6.300 7.15 The impact of reverse power flow is still under investigation.
5 6.301 - 12.500 8.35 In the current guideline, reverse power flow from distribution
6 12.501 - 25.000 10.00 to transmission network is prohibited. Fig 4 and Fig. 5 show
7 25.001 - 200.000 12.50 the busbar voltage at DG coupling point increase as the DG

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 2014 IEEE International Conference Power & Energy (PECON)

capacity increase. The voltage magnitude is higher during the

trough load period in comparison to peak load condition.
However, the voltage magnitude is still within the acceptable
limits. As the X/R ratio in the distribution network is low,
injection of real power will have a significant effect on the
network voltage. The voltage increase as the real power
injected to the network increase.

PMU_1 busbar voltage is shown in Fig. 6. It is noticed that

the busbar voltage is quite constant even though the DG
generation capacity increase. This is due to the fact that there
is a good voltage control scheme on the transmission system
132 kV side.
Fig 7 showed the total distribution losses with increasing Fig 5. PMU_1 right busbar voltage profile.
DG capacity. As the DG generation increase, the power losses
are also increased. The result shows that losses are higher than
the distribution network without DG. This is because there are
additional losses from the line and transformer from DG to the
point of connection. This additional equipment contributed to
additional I2R losses.

Fig 6. PMU_1 busbar voltage.

Fig 3. PMU_1 load profile during peak and trough load period.

Fig 7. Network technical losses versus DG capacity.

B. Short Circuit Analysis

Fig 4. PMU_1 left busbar voltage profile.
The short circuit analysis is performed under two operating
condition, which are PMU_1 bus section in OPEN and in
CLOSED position. When the bus section is operated in
CLOSED position, two transformers are connected in parallel.
The transformers are run independently, when the bus section
is OPEN. The rated short circuit current of Malaysian Utility
for 11 kV circuit breaker is 25 kA. The DG is only allowed to
be connected to the distribution system if the fault current is
within the 90% of the rated circuit breaker rating, which equal
to a maximum of 22.5 kA. The results in TABLE 3 and
TABLE 4 show the particular distribution network is capable

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 2014 IEEE International Conference Power & Energy (PECON)

to accommodate the proposed DG as the fault current is well [6] Jianhui Wong, Yun Seng Lim, Taylor Phil, and Morris Stella, "Optimal
utilisation of small-scale embedded generators in developing country - A
below the allowable limit for the bus section in OPEN or case study in Malaysia," Renewable Energy 36, pp. 2562-2572, 2011
CLOSED position. [7] Tenaga Nasional Berhad, 2005. Technical Guidebook for the
Connection of Generation to Distribution Network. Tenaga Nasional
TABLE 3. Busbar fault level when bus section is in CLOSE position. Berhad.
Bus Bus 3 phase fault current (kA) [8] Tenaga Nasional Berhad, "TNB Technical Guidebook on Grid-
Voltage Without DG With DG interconnection of Photovoltaic Power Generation System to LV and
MV Networks," 2013.
PMU 1 132 kV 0.823 1.15 [9] Wanik, M. Z., Erlish, I., Mohamed, A., & Salam, A. A. (2010).
Influence of Distributed Generations and Renewable Energy Resources
Power Plant on Power System Transient Stability. Power and Energy
PMU 1 L 11 kV 7.315 11.343 (PeCon 2010) (pp. 402-425). Kuala Lumpur: IEEE.

PMU 1 R 11 kV 7.315 11.343

TABLE 4. Fault level for bus section at OPEN position.

Bus Bus 3 phase fault current (kA)
Voltage Without DG With DG
PMU 1 132 kV 0.824 1.151

PMU 1 L 11 kV 6 8.683

PMU 1 R 11 kV 6 8.675

V. CONCLUSION
This paper has described the power system study required
before the DG interconnection with existing distribution
network is done. For the DG more than 180 kW and less than
5 MW, power system analysis which include power flow and
short circuit analysis is necessary. The power flow analysis
investigate the capability of existing network to accommodate
distributed generation without causing reverse power flow,
voltage limit violation and losses higher than without DG.
Whilst short circuit analysis is needed to make sure the fault
current is within 90% of the circuit breaker rating. This is to
protect the primary equipment and avoid the damage of circuit
breaker during the fault event. For the case study presented,
the interconnection will be rejected as the interconnection will
result in reverse power flow and losses higher than without
DG.
REFERENCES
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Malaysia. Retrieved 03 12, 2014, from http://seda.gov.my/
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(2007). PROTECTION COORDINATION PLANNING WITH
DISTRIBUTED GENERATION. Natural Resources Canada.
[3] Doyle, M. (2002). Reviewing the impacts of distributed generation on
distribution system protection. Power Engineering Society Summer
Meeting (pp. 103-105). Chicago, IL, USA: IEEE.
[4] Asnawi Mohd. Bursah and Vigna Kumaran R., “The impact of grid
connected photovoltaic generation system to voltage rise in low voltage
network,” in Recent Advances in Energy, Enviroment and Economic
Development, Paris, 2012, pp. 44-49.
[5] Kein Huat Chua et al., “Mitigation of Voltage Unbalance in Low
Voltage Distribution Network with High Level of Photovoltaic System,”
Energy Procedia, vol. 12, pp. 495-501, 2011

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