Análise da inversão do fluxo de potência em instalação elétrica industrial com geração de energia solar fotovoltaica

Abstract

The increasing integration of distributed generation, particularly solar photovoltaic energy, in industrial installations has revealed critical challenges for the stability and quality of electrical systems. Phenomena such as power flow inversion, harmonic distortions, current and voltage imbalances, and power factor variations add complexity to electrical operations, demanding advanced monitoring and control techniques. These challenges are further exacerbated in industrial contexts, where energy demand is highly dynamic and subject to abrupt changes, intensifying the interactions between local generation and the electrical grid. Such dynamics can significantly impact system reliability, compromising equipment efficiency, reducing lifespan, and increasing operational costs. Moreover, energy quality distortions can cause premature wear of critical components, transformer overloads, and disruptions to plant operations, directly affecting productivity. These consequences highlight the need for solutions that align electrical operations with regulatory compliance, ensuring system stability and efficiency. The main motivation for this study emerged from an incident reported by the maintenance team at Volga Engenharia, where an overload in the entry transformer tripped its protections, disconnecting it from the system and preventing catastrophic equipment failure. This critical event highlighted the need to deeply understand the phenomena associated with distributed generation, particularly power flow inversion and its impacts on the electrical system. In this context, the opportunity arose to align this academic research project with the challenges faced by the company, focusing on practical and technical solutions. Throughout the development of this work, the scope of the analysis expanded to address additional issues related to energy quality and specific operational conditions of the plant. Data obtained during monitoring provided a detailed view of the effects of abrupt power flow inversion and its implications on other critical parameters, such as current imbalances and harmonic distortions. This analysis reinforces the importance of studies like this one, aiming not only to understand the challenges posed by distributed generation but also to propose solutions that ensure efficiency, safety, and sustainability for industrial systems.