Researchers at the Advanced Power
and Energy Center (APEC) at Khalifa University have developed a new tool for
power grid frequency management and stabilization. This is known as the
Frequency Stability Prediction and Enhancement (FSP&E) Tool. An article in
the Khalifa University Explorer explains the need for such a tool:
“In conventional power generation, inertia plays a
crucial role as it allows generators and other components to maintain stable
operating frequencies in case of severe system contingencies. However, as power
grids become increasingly reliant on inverter-based renewable sources, this
inertia support becomes less reliable, raising challenges for the future of
energy stability.”
We saw this happen recently on the Iberian Peninsula when a
blackout hit Spain and Portugal. Could a tool like the FSP&E Tool have
prevented the blackout? I don’t know the answer, but it seems to be a good
question.
The online tool assesses,
predicts, and enhances the frequency stability of power systems. The tool “works
alongside a reserve-power allocation strategy to probe the real-time frequency
response of the power system in a virtual environment.”
“The FSP&E tool incorporates several novel features
that are applicable to power grids,” says El Moursi. First, the tool calculates
the system inertia in real-time and investigates the resilience of the power
grid to sudden events. Next, it assesses the frequency response during these
events. Finally, the tool estimates the required reserve power to maintain
frequency stability and dynamically adjusts the hybrid renewable power-plant
controller accordingly.”
“Subsequently, the energy management system of the power
grid can use the reserve power allocation in the photovoltaic power plants and
battery energy storage systems with the load shedding approach, for extreme
cases, to save the power grid in response to severe system disturbances,” El
Moursi explains.
The tool provides continuous feedback for system
performance, which informs frequency response limits and needs.
“The research team’s next step is to investigate the
intermittent nature of photovoltaic power generation. “The impact of
frequency-dependent loads on the estimation of frequency nadir [the lowest
frequency point in response to system disturbance] and reserve power will also
be probed,” says El Moursi.”
I have read that the power grid in Spain had lots of solar
PV but not very much battery storage, and that that was part of the issue that
led to the blackout. I am assuming this means inadequate reserve allocation and
load shedding.
System inertia (SI) estimation is needed to assess the frequency stability (FS) of a power system. The next need is to estimate the governor’s response or frequency nadir (FN) to plan for contingencies that may occur.
According to the paper:
“A detailed investigation of the literature reveals that
the proposed approaches for investigating and supporting the FS of power
systems with renewable power generation have several drawbacks such as: 1)
model complexity (2) applicability due to the presence of noise in the
frequency signals, (3) control actions at inappropriate timings, (4) not
considering RESs {Renewable Energy Resources} to participate in FR, (5) not
considering dynamically calculated sub-optimal PV set-points.”
It seems intuitive that
better frequency stability monitoring and regulation could have prevented the
Iberian blackout, and a tool such as this could have been a key to such
prevention.
References:
How to
ensure efficient and stable power grid operation. Khalifas University Explorer.
March 18, 2025. How
to ensure efficient and stable power grid operation | KU Explorer
A
predictive tool for power system operators to ensure frequency stability for
power grids with renewable energy integration. Faisal Sattar, Sudipta Ghosh, Younes
J. Isbeih, Mohamed Shawky El Moursi, Ahmed Al Durra, and Tarek H.M. El Fouly. Applied
Energy. Volume 353, Part B, 1 January 2024, 122226. A
predictive tool for power system operators to ensure frequency stability for
power grids with renewable energy integration - ScienceDirect
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