Load Frequency Control (LFC) of a Microgrid using PSCAD/EMTDC Simulation Program

Abstract

Continuity of the power quality is important in the modern day grid structure and the smart grid structure of the future. Incorporating the renewable energy sources to the present grid system and the increase of the usage of technology devices will cause the power quality to decrease. Power system harmonics can be characterized as one of the factors that causes a decrease in the power quality. The effects of this factor, if not prevented, will lead to a decrease in the performance and reliability of power systems which will cause economic losses. In this study, a micro grid, which will play a very important role in our lives in the near future and can possibly be an example to the new grid infrastructure, has been designed. This micro grid mentioned above has been simulated with the PSCAD/EMTCD program. Micro grids need to use control methods to increase system reliability, to share power between distributed generation (DG) units and to keep frequency-voltage values at certain limits. Droop control method is preferred in this paper since it is one of the most widely used methods and its success in literature has been proven. The designed system has been tested with four different scenarios and the results have been discussed. Load frequency control (LFC), one of the reasons that effect the power quality, was particularly analysed. The additional costs and the advantages provided as a result of novel solution proposals in the case of electric vehicles (EV) being incorporated to the system were evaluated. Particularly, provision of bidirectional energy flow of the vehicle to grid (V2G) featured electrical vehicles to the grid was examined.