Assessment and management of frequency stability in low inertia renewable energy rich power grids

Abstract

The integration of the renewable energy sources (RESs) into the power grid, drives a significant transformation in the conventional power generation landscape. This transition from traditional synchronous generators to inverter based RESs introduces unique challenges in maintaining the grid frequency stability due to the reduced system inertia. The inherent stochastic nature of the RES power generation, load demand, and grid inertia includes further complexity in the assessment of frequency stability. Existing studies have limitations, including neglecting the stochastic nature of RES generation and load demand fluctuations, relying on limited metrics, and lacking a comprehensive day-to-day assessment. To address these shortcomings of the existing approaches, this paper introduces a novel methodology for assessing frequency stability in power grids with high RES penetration. It proposes three indices for evaluating grid frequency sensitivity, resiliency, and permissibility amidst varying RES integration. Utilizing a stochastic approach, the study incorporates uncertainties in RES generation and load demand, offering a comprehensive framework for day-to-day frequency stability analysis. Additionally, it presents a systematic method to ascertain the necessary inertial support for maintaining desired frequency reliability in RES-dominated grids. The effectiveness of these methodologies is validated through a case study on a modified IEEE 39-bus test system, demonstrating their applicability in ensuring reliable grid operation under high RES scenarios.