8 - Power System Operation and Control

Abstract

This chapter deals with the explanation of power system operation and control. The primary objective of power system operation is delivering power to consumers meeting strict tolerances on voltage magnitude and frequency. The operation control problems naturally divide into the control of voltage magnitudes or the voltage control issues and the control of system frequency or the frequency control problems. Because a power system is an interconnected, large system spread over a geographically wide network, operation of the large system is complex. The controls are built to exploit the inherent time-scale and structural properties of the system. This chapter focuses on the frequency control problem as an example of power system controls. It also presents a brief introduction to the control called the automatic generation control or the load frequency control. A power system must generate sufficient power at all times to meet the load demand from the grid. The amount of load connected to the system varies significantly based on seasonal and time-of-day considerations. The cost of producing power at different generators also varies from plant to plant, depending on the efficiency of plant design and fuel costs at the generator location. Optimal power flow formulation and frequency control of power systems is also examined.