Use of distributed generator (DG) inverters as STATCOMs for decreasing line losses

A method for use in a power utility network having a utility energy control center, said method comprising:

• (a) determining reference voltages for specific inverter-based facilities in said power utility network, said specific inverter-based facilities being facilities that are participating in performing at least one of a specific set of functions in said power utility network, said reference voltages being voltage levels that perform one or more of said specific set of functions within said power utility network when implemented at said specific inverter-based facilities;
• (b) at one or more of said specific inverter-based facilities, regulating a voltage level at a point of common coupling with said power utility network, said voltage level being regulated towards a corresponding one of said reference voltages, said regulating being performed by either of:
• injecting controlled reactive power into said power utility network;
• or
• absorbing controlled reactive power from said power utility network;
• wherein each of said reference voltages is
• determined autonomously by said specific inverter-based facilities;
• and
• wherein each of said specific inverter-based facilities is one of:
• a photovoltaic solar farm;
• a photovoltaic solar farm with energy storage system;
• a wind farm;
• a wind farm with energy storage system;
• an energy storage system;
• an electric vehicle battery charging system;
• and
• a voltage source inverter-based facility;
• and
• wherein said specific set of functions includes at least one of:
• reduction of line losses;
• Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR);
• reduction of load demand;
• reduction of peak demand;
• and
• reduction of energy consumption.