Allocation of synchronous condensers for restoration of system short-circuit power

Abstract Modern power systems, employing an increasing number of converter-based renewable energy sources (RES) and decreasing the usage of conventional power plants, are leading to lower levels of short-circuit power and rotational inertia. A solution to this is the employment of synchronous condensers in the grid, in order to provide sufficient short-circuit power. This results in the increase of the short-circuit ratio (SCR) at transmission system bus-bars serving as points of interconnection (POI) to renewable generation. Evaluation of the required capacity and grid-location of the synchronous condensers, is inherently a mixed integer nonlinear optimization problem, which could not be done on manual basis considering each type of machine and all bus-bars. This study therefore proposes a method of optimal allocation of synchronous condensers in a hypothetic future scenario of a transmission system fed by renewable generation. Total cost of synchronous condenser installations in the system is minimized and the SCRs at the POIs of central renewable power plants are strengthened. The method has potential for application on larger grids, aiding grid-integration of RES

System strength shortfall challenges for renewable energy-based power systems: A review

Renewable energy sources such as wind farms and solar power plants are replacing conventional coal-based synchronous generators (SGs) to achieve net-zero carbon emissions worldwide. SGs play an important role in enhancing system strength in a power system to make it more stable during voltage/frequency disruptions. However, traditional coal-fired SGs are being decommissioned in many parts of the world, owing to stringent environmental regulations and low levelized cost of energy of renewables. Consequently, maintaining system strength in a renewable energy-dominated power system has become a major challenge, and without adequate mitigation techniques, low system strength can potentially cause widespread power outages. This paper provides an overview of system strength and its measurement techniques in a power system with a large number of renewable energy sources (RESs), for example solar and wind farms. The review includes the system strength measurement techniques, mitigation approaches, and future challenges

Editorial: Climate change mitigation and adaptation in power and energy systems

\ua9 2024. This editorial summarizes the papers selected for publication in the Special Issue on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Power and Energy Systems (CMAP). After a rigorous review of 86 submitted manuscripts, 23 papers were accepted for publication. These accepted papers cover various aspects of climate change mitigation and adaptation and are classified as follows: boosting renewable energy efficiency (two papers), climate resilience strategies (four papers), decarbonization strategies (four papers), renewable energy integration (five papers), policies, incentives, and science communications (four papers), and the role of energy markets (four papers). The Guest Editorial Board is optimistic that this Special Issue will serve as a rich resource, offering invaluable insights to propel future research and advancements in climate change mitigation and adaptation

Who should pay for frequency-containment ancillary services? Providing incentives to shape investment during the energy transition

While the operating cost of electricity grids based on thermal generation was largely driven by the cost of fuel, as renewable penetration increases, ancillary services represent an increasingly large proportion of the running costs. Electric frequency is an important magnitude in highly renewable grids, as it becomes more volatile and therefore the cost related to maintaining it within safe bounds has significantly increased. All generators and consumers have so far been equally responsible for covering frequency-containment ancillary services costs, but it has become relevant to rethink this regulatory arrangement. In this paper, we discuss the issue of cost allocation for these services, highlighting the need to evolve towards a causation-based regulatory framework. We argue that parties responsible for creating the need for ancillary services should bear these costs. However, this would imply an important change in electricity market policy, therefore it is necessary to understand the impact on current and future investments on generation, as well as on electricity tariffs. Here we provide a qualitative analysis of this issue, hoping to open up a focused discussion among academics, regulators and industry

Design of ancillary service markets and products: Challenges and recommendations for EU renewable power systems: Deliverable D3.3

Project TradeRES - New Markets Design & Models for 100% Renewable Power Systems: https://traderes.eu/about/ABSTRACT: The overall objective of the current study is to analyse the implications of the transition towards a renewable, climate-neutral power system in the EU for the demand and supply of ancillary services (AS) of this system in general and for the market design and related EU regulation of these services in particular. The study focuses predominantly on electricity balancing services (‘frequency control’). However, other ancillary services – not ably reactive power services (‘voltage control’) and system restoration services (‘black start’) – are, to some extent, considered as well. More specifically, the study analyses in particular (i) the current situation (‘base case’) of ancillary (electricity balancing) services in the EU, (ii) the future situation (‘towards a 100% renewable EU power system’) of these services, and (iii) the major challenges and recommendations for the main ancillary services markets in the EU in order to improve the performance of these markets in the coming years, i.e. up to 2030 and beyond.N/