The Netherlands and the United Kingdom both launched experimental R&D programmes in autumn this year to support the work of Task 5 of the IEA  PVPS Programme on grid-connection of dispersed PV systems. Both projects are assessing the influence of connecting numerous distributed systems to the grid.

Specific problems associated with multiple connections include overloading in summertime, voltage profile instability and grid protection behaviour anomalies. New design methodologies as well as control and protection arrangements will be investigated. The Netherlands research will be conducted by KEMA, an organization that has great experience of dynamic grid behaviour ad familiarity with the dynamic behaviour of PV systems. EnergieNed and Novem will fund the project, which is due for completion in 1997.

The UK programme is managed by HGa, with technical management from EA Technology. The research will be carried out by Southampton University and CREST under funding from the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council, and by BP Solar with support from ETSU. There will be close cooperation between all involved parties in order to exchange information and results and avoid duplication of efforts.

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