Effects of swing equation-based inertial response (SEBIR) control on penetration limits of nonsynchronous generation in the GB power system

Abstract

This paper investigates the limits to penetration levels of non-synchronous generation (NSG) in a power system and how this may be increased. Reduced system inertia, arising from high penetrations of NSG, is one of the main issues that may increase the risk of system instability in various guises. Swing equation - based inertial response (SEBIR) control, often referred to using a variety of terms, is considered to be a potential solution that can enable converter - interfaced generation to support the system during and after disturbances. However, the effects of SEBIR on system operability and its ability to increase the NSG penetration limits and improve system strength under high NSG scenarios has not been fully investigated. The paper presents the implementation of SEBIR control within a simplified model of the future Great Britain (GB) transmission model, created using DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Using the model, the instantaneous penetration level limits of NSG in terms of both transient and steady - state stability are investigated with and without SEBIR control applied to the NSG. The capability of SEBIR in enabling additional active power output from NSG and improving system frequency response under a loss of infeed event is investigated and it is shown how SEBIR can assist in increasing NSG penetration levels, but that further work is required to understand certain phenomena that have been observed.