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Title: Frequency Response Assessment and Enhancement of the U.S. Power Grids towards Extra-High Photovoltaic Generation Penetrations – an Industry Perspective

Journal Article · · IEEE Transactions on Power Systems
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [1]
  1. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
  2. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
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Nonsynchronous generators such as photovoltaics (PVs) are expected to undermine bulk power systems (BPSs)' frequency response at high penetration levels. Though the underlying mechanism has been relatively well understood, the accurate assessment and effective enhancement of the U.S. interconnections' frequency response under extra-high PV penetration conditions remains an issue. In this paper, the industry-provided full-detail interconnection models were further validated by synchrophasor frequency measurements and realistically-projected PV geographic distribution information were used to develop extra-high PV penetration scenarios and dynamic models for the three main U.S. interconnections, including Eastern Interconnection (EI), Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Up to 65% instantaneous PV and 15% wind penetration were simulated and the frequency response change trend of each U.S. interconnection due to the increasing PV penetration level were examined. Most importantly, the practical solutions to address the declining frequency response were discussed. This paper will provide valuable guidance for policy makers, utility operators and academic researchers not only in the U.S. but also other countries in the world.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S), SunShot National Laboratory Multiyear Partnership (SuNLaMP); USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308; AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1424897
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1474552
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5D00-71056
Journal Information:
IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 33, Issue 3; ISSN 0885-8950
Publisher:
IEEECopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 43 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

Cited By (1)

Improving Microgrid Frequency Regulation Based on the Virtual Inertia Concept while Considering Communication System Delay journal May 2019

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14 SOLAR ENERGY
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
bulk power system
inertia
frequency response
frequency nadir
PV