Open Access
IMPACT OF PHOTOVOLTAIC-INDUCED HARMONICS ON DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER HOTSPOT TEMPERATURE: AN ELECTRO-THERMAL MODELING APPROACH
4
Power Systems and Renewable Energy Research Lab, Moscow Power Engineering Institute, Moscow, Russia
4
Department of Electrical Power and Machines, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
The increasing integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems into low-voltage distribution networks introduces power quality concerns, particularly due to current and voltage harmonics. These harmonics can lead to increased thermal stress in distribution transformers, potentially reducing their operational lifespan. This study presents an electro-thermal modeling approach to evaluate the impact of PV-induced harmonics on the hotspot temperature of oil-immersed distribution transformers. A detailed harmonic load profile was developed based on real PV generation data and inverter characteristics. The model couples electrical harmonic analysis with thermal simulation using IEEE and IEC transformer thermal models. Results indicate that the presence of high-order harmonics, especially during peak PV output hours, can cause a hotspot temperature rise of up to 8–12 °C compared to harmonic-free operation. This elevated temperature can accelerate insulation aging and compromise transformer reliability. The study highlights the need for harmonic mitigation strategies in PV-rich grids and supports transformer design optimization for harmonic resilience.
Keywords
Photovoltaic systems,
harmonics,
distribution transformer
References
Abdali, A., Mazlumi, K., & Rabiee, A. (2024). Harmonics impact on hotspot temperature increment of distribution transformers: Nonuniform magnetic-thermal approach. International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2024.109826
Ackermann, T., Ran Andersson, G., & Sö Der A, L. (2001). Distributed generation: a definition. Electric Power Systems Research, 57. www.elsevier.com/locate/epsr
AJ, C., Salam, M. A., Rahman, Q. M., Wen, F., Ang, S. P., & Voon, W. (2018). Causes of transformer failures and diagnostic methods – A review. In Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82, 1442–1456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.05.165
Américo, J. P., Leite, J. V., & Mazzola, C. F. (2024). Enhanced thermal modeling of three-phase dry-type transformers. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2024.104445
Awadallah, M. A., Venkatesh, B., & Singh, B. N. (2015). Impact of solar panels on power quality of distribution networks and transformers. Canadian Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 38(1), 45–51. https://doi.org/10.1109/CJECE.2014.2359111
Awadallah, M. A., Xu, T., Venkatesh, B., & Singh, B. N. (2016). On the Effects of Solar Panels on Distribution Transformers. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 31(3), 1176–1185. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPWRD.2015.2443715
Cazacu, E., Ionita, V., & Petrescu, L. (2018). Thermal Aging of Power Distribution Transformers Operating under Nonlinear and Balanced Load Conditions. https://doi.org/10.15598/aeee.v16i1.2701
Chen, T., Liu, Z., Wang, P., Jiang, J., & Yang, F. (2023). Temperature Simulation of 800 kVA Converter Transformer Windings Considering the Effects of High-Order Harmonics. 2023 26th International Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems, ICEMS 2023, 2589–2593. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEMS59686.2023.10344825
Comsol. (2022). The Heat Transfer Module User’s Guide. https://doc.comsol.com/6.1/doc/com.comsol.help.heat/HeatTransferModuleUsersGuide.pdf
Dao, T., & Phung, B. T. (2018). Effects of voltage harmonic on losses and temperature rise in distribution transformers. IET Generation, Transmission and Distribution, 12(2), 347–354. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-gtd.2017.0498
Das, A. K., & Chatterjee, S. (2017). Finite element method-based modelling of flow rate and temperature distribution in an oil-filled disc-type winding transformer using COMSOL multiphysics. IET Electric Power Applications, 11(4), 664–673. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-epa.2016.0446
El Batawy, S. A., & Morsi, W. G. (2017). On the impact of high penetration of rooftop solar photovoltaics on the aging of distribution transformers. Canadian Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 40(2), 93–100. https://doi.org/10.1109/CJECE.2017.2694698
Fortes, R. R. A., Buzo, R. F., & de Oliveira, L. C. O. (2020). Harmonic distortion assessment in power distribution networks considering DC component injection from PV inverters. Electric Power Systems Research, 188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2020.106521
Gorginpour, H., Ghimatgar, H., & Toulabi, M. S. (2022). Lifetime Estimation and Optimal Maintenance Scheduling of Urban Oil-Immersed Distribution-Transformers Considering Weather-Dependent Intelligent Load Model and Unbalanced Loading. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 37(5), 4154–4165. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPWRD.2022.3146154
Hajipour, E., Mohiti, M., Farzin, N., & Vakilian, M. (2017). Optimal distribution transformer sizing in a harmonic involved load environment via dynamic programming technique. Energy, 120, 92–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.12.113
Hamza, E. A., Sedhom, B. E., & Badran, E. A. (2021). Impact and assessment of the overvoltage mitigation methods in low-voltage distribution networks with excessive penetration of PV systems: A review. International Transactions on Electrical Energy Systems 31(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/2050-7038.13161
Hossain, M. S., Abboodi Madlool, N., Al-Fatlawi, A. W., & El Haj Assad, M. (2023). High Penetration of Solar Photovoltaic Structure on the Grid System Disruption: An Overview of Technology Advancement. Sustainability (Switzerland) 15(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021174
IEEE Std C57.91-2011(Revision of IEEE Std C57.91-1995) : IEEE Guide for Loading Mineral-Oil-Immersed Transformers and Step-Voltage Regulators Sponsored by the Transformers Committee. (2011). IEEE
IEEE Std C57.110-2018 (Revision of IEEE Std C57.110-2008) : IEEE Recommended Practice for Establishing Liquid-Immersed and Dry-Type Power and Distribution Transformer Capability When Supplying Nonsinusoidal Load Currents. (2018). IEEE
Similar Articles
- Dr. Priya Deshmukh, Dr. Luca Benedetti, Maria Fernanda Rojas, OPTIMIZING GRID-CONNECTED SMART HYBRID RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS: A FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS ACROSS DIVERSE CLIMATIC ZONES , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 1 No. 01 (2024): Volume 01 Issue 01
- Dr. Kalkidan Tesfaye, Dr. Lars Neumann, TECHNO-ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY AND OPTIMIZATION OF OFF-GRID HYBRID RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION IN ETHIOPIA , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 2 No. 06 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 06
- Dr. Marco L. Venturi, INTEGRATED GRID-TO-VEHICLE AND VEHICLE-TO-GRID ARCHITECTURES FOR HIGH-RENEWABLE POWER SYSTEMS: OPTIMIZATION PARADIGMS, UNCERTAINTY, AND SYSTEM-LEVEL IMPLICATIONS , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 3 No. 02 (2026): Volume 03 Issue 02
- Dr. Michael T. Reynolds, Dr. Sofia M. Alvarez, Dr. Daniel K. Mercer, Advanced Tandem and Thin-Film Photovoltaic Architectures: An Integrative Research Study on Efficiency Limits, Numerical Optimization, Stability, and Cost Competitiveness in Perovskite, GeSe, CIGS, and Silicon Solar Cells , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 3 No. 04 (2026): Volume 03 Issue 04
- Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka, Prof. Yuki Nakamura, Comparative Hydrodynamic Analysis of Raceway Pond Systems Using k-ω and Large Eddy Simulation Turbulence Models , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 3 No. 05 (2026): Volume 03 Issue 05
- Dr. Sarah Connors, Dr. Tarek Al-Shehri, DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF A HYBRID ANFIS-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ISLANDED MICROGRIDS , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 1 No. 01 (2024): Volume 01 Issue 01
- Natalya V. Popova, Minh H. Nguyen, A Comprehensive Review of Microplastic Pollution in Inland Aquatic Ecosystems of India: Sources, Distribution, Ecological Risks, And Policy Interventions , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 2 No. 11 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 11
- Mei Zhang, DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION OF A STANDALONE HYBRID RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM FOR REMOTE CHINESE COMMUNITIES , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 2 No. 02 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 02
- Hiroshi Tanaka, Omar Rahman, Integrating Solar Drying, Thermal Energy Storage, and Sodium Borohydride Hydrogen Pathways for Decentralized Sustainable Energy Systems: A Comparative and Conceptual Research Analysis , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 3 No. 04 (2026): Volume 03 Issue 04
- Dr. Sandeep Rajan, Dr. Priyal Nair, INTEGRATED SOLAR TRI-GENERATION SYSTEMS: A MULTI-CRITERIA THERMO-ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF COMBINED ORGANIC RANKINE, ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION, AND KALINA CYCLES , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 2 No. 05 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 05
1-10 of 27
Next
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.