Heuristic Optimization of Virtual Inertia Control in Grid-Connected Wind Energy Conversion Systems for Frequency Support in a Restructured Environment

Anuoluwapo Oluwatobiloba Aluko,Rudiren Pillay Carpanen,Evan E Ojo,David George Dorrell

doi:10.3390/en13030564

Anuoluwapo Oluwatobiloba Aluko, Rudiren Pillay Carpanen + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en13030564

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Abstract

In the work reported in this paper, a novel application of the artificial bee colony algorithm is used to implement a virtual inertia control strategy for grid-connected wind energy conversion systems. The proposed control strategy introduces a new heuristic optimization technique that uses the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm to calculate the optimal gain value of an additional derivative control loop added to the control scheme of the machine side converter in a wind energy system to enable wind farms to participate in frequency control as specified by recent grid codes. This helps to minimize the frequency deviations, reduce active power deviation in the system, and increase the penetration level of wind energy in power systems. The study was performed in a restructured power system environment. The proposed control scheme and its robustness were evaluated using load–frequency analysis for three real-life transaction scenarios that can occur in an interconnected open-energy market and the validation was carried out using eigenvalue analysis. The results in this study show that the optimal gain of the proposed controller reduces the frequency deviations and improves stability and overall performance of the system.

Highlights

To meet increasing load demand and reduce environmental pollution caused by fossil-fuelled power plants, power generation from renewable sources has become a viable solution in many instances
The system was modeled in Simulink and the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm was written as a script file in the MATLAB environment
The artificial bee colony algorithm was used in the implementation of a virtual inertia control strategy

Summary

Introduction

To meet increasing load demand and reduce environmental pollution caused by fossil-fuelled power plants, power generation from renewable sources has become a viable solution in many instances. Any variance between the generated power and required load demand results in the deviation of the system frequency from its nominal value. This creates an inadvertent exchange of power between interconnected control areas. The impacts of renewable energy plants (REPs) in large power systems were considered negligible because of low-level penetration. In a similar manner to codes for conventional plants, REPs grid codes specify that some ancillary services must be provided during transient conditions [5].

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