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Grid frequency volatility in future low inertia scenarios: Challenges and mitigation options

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  • Homan, Samuel
  • Mac Dowell, Niall
  • Brown, Solomon

Abstract

Electricity grids across the world are rapidly changing to accommodate an increasing penetration of renewable generation, but concerns have been raised about the stability of grids during and after this transition. The volatility of the frequency of the grid is a commonly used metric for stability. Here we analyse historic frequency data from Great Britain to gain an understanding of the past and current state of frequency volatility and some of the driving forces behind patterns and trends. We show that frequency volatility increased appreciably in 2017 and 2018. Using predicted 2030 inertia profiles, we also determine the future frequency response requirements of the grid in two different situations: after a large infeed loss and during normal day-to-day operation. In normal day-to-day operation, the frequency volatility does not drastically deteriorate until an inertia level around 20% of current levels (inertia from nuclear and demand only). At this low level, a significant portion of the frequency response capacity needs to be fast acting for successful mitigation. Increasing the capacity of slow acting response alone is actually found to be detrimental. Low inertia has a much greater effect on frequency response requirements in a large infeed loss situation.

Suggested Citation

  • Homan, Samuel & Mac Dowell, Niall & Brown, Solomon, 2021. "Grid frequency volatility in future low inertia scenarios: Challenges and mitigation options," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:290:y:2021:i:c:s0306261921002385
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116723
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johnson, Samuel C. & Papageorgiou, Dimitri J. & Mallapragada, Dharik S. & Deetjen, Thomas A. & Rhodes, Joshua D. & Webber, Michael E., 2019. "Evaluating rotational inertia as a component of grid reliability with high penetrations of variable renewable energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 258-271.
    2. Greenwood, D.M. & Lim, K.Y. & Patsios, C. & Lyons, P.F. & Lim, Y.S. & Taylor, P.C., 2017. "Frequency response services designed for energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 115-127.
    3. Tielens, Pieter & Van Hertem, Dirk, 2016. "The relevance of inertia in power systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 999-1009.
    4. Lee, Rachel & Homan, Samuel & Mac Dowell, Niall & Brown, Solomon, 2019. "A closed-loop analysis of grid scale battery systems providing frequency response and reserve services in a variable inertia grid," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 961-972.
    5. Johnson, Samuel C. & Rhodes, Joshua D. & Webber, Michael E., 2020. "Understanding the impact of non-synchronous wind and solar generation on grid stability and identifying mitigation pathways," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Li, Zhihao & Yang, Lun & Xu, Yinliang, 2023. "A dynamics-constrained method for distributed frequency regulation in low-inertia power systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 344(C).
    2. Wang, Xiaobo & Huang, Wentao & Li, Ran & Tai, Nengling & Zong, Ming, 2023. "Frequency-based demand side response considering the discontinuity of the ToU tariff," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    3. Davi-Arderius, Daniel & Jamasb, Tooraj & Rosellon, Juan, 2024. "Network Operation and Constraints and the Path to Net Zero," Working Papers 8-2024, Copenhagen Business School, Department of Economics.

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