Time delay effects in the control of synchronous electricity grids

The expansion of inverter-connected generation facilities (i.e. wind and photovoltaics) and the removal of conventional power plants is necessary to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Whereas conventional generation with large rotating generator masses provides stabilizing inertia, inverter-connected generation does not. Since the underlying power system and the control mechanisms that keep it close to a desired reference state, were not designed for such a low inertia system, this might make the system vulnerable to disturbances. In this paper, we will investigate whether the currently used control mechanisms are able to keep a low inertia system stable and how this is effected by the time delay between a frequency deviation and the onset of the control action. We integrate the control mechanisms used in continental Europe into a model of coupled oscillators which resembles the second order Kuramoto model. This model is then used to investigate how the interplay of changing inertia, network topology and delayed control effects the stability of the interconnected power system. To identify regions in parameter space that make stable grid operation possible, the linearized system is analyzed to create the system's stability chart. We show that lower and distributed inertia could have a beneficial effect on the stability of the desired synchronous state

MOSES – A modelling tool for the analysis of scenarios of the European electricity supply system

Recent studies have shown that a transition of the current power supply system in Europe to a system almost entirely based on fluctuating Renewable Energy Sources (RES) by mid-century is possible. However, most of these scenarios require a significant amount of back-up power capacities to ensure the security of electricity supply. This would imply high additional investments and operating costs. Hence, alternative options should be investigated first. Here we present a first outlook of our simulation model MOSES which will be able to analyse different target states of the European electricity system in 2050. In this model long-term meteorological data series are used to optimise the capacity mix of RES in Europe. One of the main elements of our tool is a simplified electricity network. In addition, alternative options for reduction of additional back-up power like the expansion of the transmission grid, the use of demand-side management and/or the installation of over-capacities will be implemented. The results will be used to provide scientifically proven recommendations to policy makers for a reliable energy supply system in Europe based on Renewable Energy Sources

MOSES – A modelling tool for the analysis of scenarios of the European electricity supply system

Recent studies have shown that a transition of the current power supply system in Europe to a system almost entirely based on fluctuating Renewable Energy Sources (RES) by mid-century is possible. However, most of these scenarios require a significant amount of back-up power capacities to ensure the security of electricity supply. This would imply high additional investments and operating costs. Hence, alternative options should be investigated first. Here we present a first outlook of our simulation model MOSES which will be able to analyse different target states of the European electricity system in 2050. In this model long-term meteorological data series are used to optimise the capacity mix of RES in Europe. One of the main elements of our tool is a simplified electricity network. In addition, alternative options for reduction of additional back-up power like the expansion of the transmission grid, the use of demand-side management and/or the installation of over-capacities will be implemented. The results will be used to provide scientifically proven recommendations to policy makers for a reliable energy supply system in Europe based on Renewable Energy Sources

Time delay effects in the control of synchronous electricity grids

The expansion of inverter-connected generation facilities (i.e. wind and photovoltaics) and the removal of conventional power plants is necessary to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Whereas conventional generation with large rotating generator masses provides stabilizing inertia, inverter-connected generation does not. Since the underlying power system and the control mechanisms that keep it close to a desired reference state, were not designed for such a low inertia system, this might make the system vulnerable to disturbances. In this paper, we will investigate whether the currently used control mechanisms are able to keep a low inertia system stable and how this is effected by the time delay between a frequency deviation and the onset of the control action. We integrate the control mechanisms used in continental Europe into a model of coupled oscillators which resembles the second order Kuramoto model. This model is then used to investigate how the interplay of changing inertia, network topology and delayed control effects the stability of the interconnected power system. To identify regions in parameter space that make stable grid operation possible, the linearized system is analyzed to create the system's stability chart. We show that lower and distributed inertia could have a beneficial effect on the stability of the desired synchronous state

Light trapping in a-Si:H thin film solar cells using silver nanostructures

Plasmonic thin film solar cells (modified with metallic nanostructures) often display enhanced light absorption due to surface plasmon resonance (SPR). However, the plasmonic field localization may not be significantly beneficial to improved photocurrent conversion efficiency for all types of cell configurations. For instance, the integration of random metallic nanoparticles (NPs) into thin film solar cells often introduces additional texturing. This texturing might also contribute to enhanced photon-current efficiency. An experimental systematic investigation to decouple both the plasmonic and the texturing contributions is hard to realize for cells modified with randomly deposited metallic nanoparticles. This work presents an experimental and computational investigation of well-defined plasmonic (Ag) nanoparticles, fabricated by nanosphere lithography, integrated to the back contact of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells. The size, shape, periodicity and the vertical position of the Ag nanoparticles were well-controlled. The experimental results suggested that a-Si:H solar cells modified with a periodic arrangement of Ag NPs (700 nm periodicity) fabricated just at the top of the metal contact in the back reflector yields the highest improvement in terms of current density (JSC). Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations also indicated that Ag nanoparticles located at the top of the metal contact in the back reflector is expected to lead to the most efficient light confinement inside the a-Si:H absorber intrinsic layer (i-layer)