Synergistic frequency regulation in microgrids: pioneering a controller for seamless integration of wave energy conversion systems

Tidal power plants (TPPs) and wave energy conversion systems (WECSs) are emerging as significant contributors to clean energy technologies, with the potential to address energy shortages and mitigate environmental footprints. This necessitates a thorough investigation into their role in supporting ancillary services, particularly in frequency regulation. Integrating intermittent units like TPPs into power systems increases capacity but reduces system inertia due to electronic connections. Unlike other more popular renewable sources, TPP is more consistent, highly predictable, reliable, and has a high energy density. This paper introduces a new wave energy conversion systems (WECS) model incorporated into a microgrid to assess its effects. The presence of WECS leads to a deterioration in the frequency deviation dynamics following disturbances, posing a challenge to frequency regulation services. The microgrid model encompasses a rotational power plant, an electric vehicle aggregator, a TPP, and a standalone solar plant (WECS and capacitor energy storage system (CESS) is added later in the system to see the effect of them). The study considers CESS over battery energy storage system due to its high cycle life and fast response time. The projected microgrid is optimized using a hybrid African vulture optimization salp swarm algorithm in conjunction with a new 1+Fractional order Proportional Derivative controller parallel with Fractional order Proportional Integral controller with filter (1+FOPD-FOPIF controller). The study evaluates the contribution of WECS and CESS to frequency management in microgrid system. The efficacy of these tactics is showcased through simulation-driven experiments and validated using real data reflecting the annual load variation in the Fairbank area (U.S) and for IEEE 5 bus system & IEEE 39 bus system with 60% penetration of renewable sources. For verification benchmark test functions are also used as a statistical analysis of projected optimization method and stability analysis is done for projected controller. The projected technique and controller shows better settling time results and reduces oscillations when WECS and CESS are integrated.