Identification and Design of Special Protection Schemes for the Energy Transition

Abstract

The urgent need for mitigating climate change calls for the widespread adoption of renewable energies in power systems. However, the effective integration of renewables into power grids faces challenges related to transmission system reinforcement, often hindered by social and environmental concerns. Delays in transmission projects can result in increased congestion and renewable energy curtailment, impeding further progress in renewables integration. To address these challenges, this paper presents a novel approach using Special Protection Schemes (SPS) as emerging technologies to enhance grid flexibility and reduce the need for infrastructure reinforcements. SPS, with their ability to increase transmission capacity through corrective control actions, offer innovative solutions for the system operation. A novel methodology for identifying and designing cost-effective SPS to increase the transmission capacity while maintaining the N-1 criterion and promoting renewable energy utilization is proposed. The methodology is applied to the Chilean interconnected power grid, demonstrating potential annual cost savings of up to 9.64%, achieved by reducing solar power curtailment, thereby underscoring the contribution of the proposal to support a cost-efficient energy transition.