Control Strategies for Maximizing Renewable Energy Utilization in Power Systems

Authors

  • Michael Negnevitsky School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
  • Evgenii Semshchikov School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
  • James Hamilton School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
  • Xiaolin Wang School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
  • Ekaterina Bayborodina School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Keywords:

Renewable energy, Power system control, Low Load Diesel, Battery energy system

Abstract

Environmental and economic challenges lead to the rapid growth of the renewable energy (RE) market in many countries. At a high level of RE sources (i.e. wind and solar) penetration, power systems face technical difficulties associated with the critical frequency stability and insufficient power reserves. The problem becomes particularly acute at penetration levels higher than 50 %, when conventional generation units are forced to operate at partial load, potentially resulting in premature equipment wear. Energy storage and demand-side management may offer solutions in the future, however, at the current stage, they incorporate substantial capital investment and complicate control system. This paper suggests a control strategy for maximum RE penetration, adopting a low load diesel application integrated with a small-capacity battery energy storage system. The strategy results in improved renewable energy utilization without overcomplicating the control architecture. Initially, a mathematical model is developed, then it is validated based on an isolated power system – a power system where penetration of RE already exceeds 50 % annually. Optimized control strategies are shown to deliver a 20 % increase in renewable energy penetration in comparison to conventional ones.

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Published

2019-10-31