Description
The ongoing energy transition is increasingly changing the requirements for electrical distribution grids. Reactive power provision, which has traditionally been ensured primarily by central generation units in the transmission grid, must in the future be organized in a decentralized manner. At the same time, the share of new types of electrical loads in distribution grids is rising significantly—particularly due to the widespread expansion of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and heat pumps. These loads are often equipped with power electronic interfaces, which are in principle capable of targeted reactive power control. Systematically tapping into these reactive power potentials could represent an as-yet underutilized opportunity to improve both efficiency and stability in distribution grid operation.
The aim of this contribution is to analyze the technically usable reactive power potential of modern controllable loads and to assess their possible contribution to increasing the operational efficiency of distribution grids. The focus is particularly on reducing grid-related losses and improving voltage quality in the low- and medium-voltage levels.
For this purpose, representative grid structures with realistic load profiles and varying penetration levels of controllable loads are modeled. Using simulation-based grid analyses, the influence of reactive power utilization on grid losses, voltage regulation, and operational limits is examined. In addition, the relevant technical and regulatory framework conditions are analyzed with regard to their suitability and constraints.
This contribution aims to provide a system-level classification of the reactive power capabilities of modern loads and to identify potential levers for improving operational efficiency. The results are intended to serve as a basis for further investigations into operational strategies, incentive mechanisms, and technical standardizations, with the goal of making reactive power potentials more systematically usable in real-world grid operation.
