Frequency dynamics of power systems with temporally distributed disturbances

Abstract

The frequency dynamics and stability of power systems is essentially affected by nature and characteristics of the disturbances occurring in the system. Conventionally, frequency transients are examined assuming a single disturbance applied at a given time. However, actual incidents in the power systems can be generally composed of a temporal sequence of events, and thus characterized by multiple power imbalances of different magnitudes and time offsets. The consideration of the effects of the temporal distribution of power imbalances is important for two main reasons: the impact on the frequency dynamics of the system in terms of frequency metrics such as minimum instantaneous frequency and maximum absolute rate of change of frequency, and the correct representation of the dynamic behaviour of the system also for complex events such system separation. The work provides an analytical approach for the theoretical study of the frequency dynamics with temporally distributed power imbalances. The analytical approach is then used to examine the impact of multiple disturbances having different magnitudes and time offsets on the typical frequency metrics used to characterize the transient performances of the system. The concepts derived in the work are finally applied to the case of an actual event occurred in the Continental Europe power system, showing the fundamental role of considering temporally distributed power imbalances for a correct and accurate assessment of the dynamics of the system.