Modeling and integration of smart control strategies to improve large-scale pv system management and operation in a low inertia power grid

Abstract

In the context of international endeavors to address climate change, there is a discernible transition occurring from the utilization of fossil fuels to the adoption of cleaner and sustainable sources of energy. The aforementioned transformation has resulted in a growing appeal and improved financial feasibility of renewable energy initiatives. These sources have a substantial impact on the reduction of CO2 emissions and the improvement of energy supply security. Nevertheless, the integration of renewable energy sources into transmission and distribution power networks also brings about a certain level of unpredictability and uncertainty. Effectively aligning real-time energy generation with customer demand faces complexity due to the need for affordable energy storage. Distributed generation helps mitigate transmission losses but introduces operational complexity. Growing electricity demand from electric transport and heating poses challenges for conventional power stations and infrastructure. Integrating renewable energy sources (RESs) offers substantial potential for reducing carbon emissions, combatting air pollution, addressing climate change, and improving overall quality of life. Traditional synchronous generators maintain power balance through kinetic energy, absent in RESs due to electromagnetic decoupling. RESs require specific control strategies for frequency regulation, given their intermittent nature and unique dynamics. Control complexities heighten when system inertia decreases due to the absence of synchronous generators connected to the grid. System inertia is pivotal for power system stability during sudden imbalances in active power. Thus, reducing system inertia is a significant concern for ensuring frequency stability. Integrating RESs also introduces technical hurdles, including heightened uncertainty, limited fault tolerance, increased fault currents, lower generation reserves, and compromised power quality. To address these challenges, advanced technologies, including control strategies, optimization, energy storage, and fault current limiters, have been developed. Employing these innovative methodologies is crucial for successful RES integration into power systems, while navigating inherent technological complexities. This thesis revolves around a pivotal moment in the energy landscape of a Middle Eastern country, driven by factors like increased energy demand, growing environmental awareness, and government support for renewables. Large-scale photovoltaic (PV) projects are now highly attractive, capable of generating hundreds of megawatts within a single grid area. However, integrating these projects into the power grid of this nation presents substantial challenges that this research seeks to address. To ensure a seamless and improved integration of large-scale PV systems, this study employs a multifaceted approach. It begins with the creation of a comprehensive computer model meticulously representing the power grid of this Middle Eastern country. Real-world data is then used to validate this model, enhancing our understanding of the grid's behavior and any disparities between the model and the actual system. Moreover, the research focuses on quantifying the system's inertia, a crucial parameter for grid stability and disturbance response, especially with the increasing presence of PV generation. By analyzing the system's dynamic response, this objective aims to identify the system's inertia level and its implications for PV integration, ensuring secure power grid operation. In addition, the study delves into the impacts of high PV penetration on the electricity grid of this nation, considering factors like variable output, intermittency, and integration challenges. It seeks to pinpoint issues related to energy balance and grid stability and proposes strategies for reliable and secure grid operation under high PV penetration scenarios. Enhancing grid stability further involves encouraging large-scale PV systems to actively participate in providing inertial response. Investigating various control strategies and operational techniques to achieve this goal aims to make the power system more robust and resilient. Lastly, the study identifies and implements control strategies to optimize PV system integration, including voltage regulation, power flow management, and frequency control. These strategies aim to improve integration, ensuring reliable operation and adherence to grid stability and power quality standards. The hypotheses guiding this thesis encompass a range of critical questions, including the optimization of PV systems for grid stability and the improvement of grid control algorithms to enhance PV system penetration. The evaluation of different PV system configurations and their impact on grid stability and power quality is also addressed. In summary, this research, grounded in empirical data and rigorous modeling, aims to comprehensively address these hypotheses. Ultimately, it seeks to provide valuable insights that support the successful integration of large-scale PV systems into Jordan's power grid, contributing to the nation's sustainable and resilient energy generation journey.