Researchers have developed a method to optimize wind turbine parameters, simultaneously suppressing ultra-low frequency oscillations and maintaining primary frequency regulation in hydro-wind power systems.
A pesky problem has been causing headaches for grids heavily reliant on hydropower: ultra-low frequency oscillations (ULFOs). 😖 These slow-moving waves can threaten the entire system's stability, and until now, suppressing them often meant sacrificing the primary frequency regulation (PFR) capabilities of hydropower units.
Enter wind power, the unexpected hero of our story! 🦸♀️🌬️
Researchers have developed a clever method to optimize wind turbine (WT) parameters, allowing them to dampen these troublesome oscillations while maintaining crucial frequency control. Here's how they did it:
They created an extended unified frequency model (EUFM) of a hydro-wind power system. This model helped them understand how different components interact and influence system stability.
Using this model, they derived the damping torque coefficients for the system and investigated how WT control parameters affect both ULFOs and PFR characteristics.
The team then formulated a novel optimization function. This mathematical wizardry balances two crucial factors: damping in the ultra-low frequency band and primary frequency regulation performance.
To find the optimal solution, they employed a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. This intelligent method mimics the behavior of birds flocking to efficiently search for the best parameter values.
The results? Nothing short of impressive! 🎉
Simulations showed that the optimized WT parameters could effectively suppress ULFOs while maintaining excellent PFR performance. This means hydropower units can be freed up to do what they do best – providing reliable power – without worrying about those pesky oscillations.
What's more, this approach doesn't just work in theory. The researchers tested their method in two different scenarios: a simple two-machine system and a more complex asynchronous hydro-wind system connected by high-voltage DC transmission. In both cases, the optimized parameters significantly improved system stability.
This research opens up exciting possibilities for integrating more wind power into hydropower-dominated grids, paving the way for a more stable and sustainable energy future. ⚡🌿
Source: Wu, R.; Jiang, Q.; Li, B.; Liu, T.; Zeng, X. Control Method for Ultra-Low Frequency Oscillation and Frequency Control Performance in Hydro–Wind Power Sending System. Electronics 2024, 13, 3691. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13183691
From: Sichuan University; State Grid Sichuan Electrical Power Research Institute
