Context:

The use of microgrids in non-interconnected areas has become the only alternative that people living in these regions have to access the electricity service. Because of this it is necessary to optimize the use of these systems and if it is possible to expand existing ones to increase coverage and, in that way, support the implementation of the sustainable development goal 7 set by United Nations: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Methodology:

In this paper, we present two cases of expansion for a microgrid based on a photovoltaic generation system that is located in a non-interconnected area of Colombia. The analysis of the electrical generation of the system is carried out using Matlab/Simulink and the small signal analysis to evaluate the stability is executed in Neplan. Based on the above, it is possible to establish a methodology that allows to define the expandability of a microgrid.

Results:

From the small signal stability analysis performed in Neplan, the system's own values are obtained, both from the current microgrid and from the two cases of expansion, this in order to guarantee the property of stability in the micro grid in three different scenarios; non-linear loads, increased power demanded and generated.

Conclusions:

In photovoltaic systems located in non-interconnected areas and operating in island mode the inverters influence frequency stability considerably, because the reduced inertia in these systems leads to a faster frequency variation. This is why the analysis of small signal stability is the method indicated to study the behavior of microgrids before variations in demand and generated power, particularly in systems that operate in areas not interconnected, because with small disturbances it is possible to identify the changes in the dynamics of the system.