Quantifying the predictability of renewable energy data for improving power systems decision-making

Published: March 24, 2023Decision-making in the power systems domain often relies on predictions of renewable generation. While sophisticated forecasting methods have been developed to improve the accuracy of such predictions, their accuracy is limited by the inherent predictability of the data used. However, the predictability of time series data cannot be measured by existing prediction techniques. This important measure has been overlooked by researchers and practitioners in the power systems domain. In this paper, we systematically assess the suitability of various predictability measures for renewable generation time series data, revealing the best method and providing instructions for tuning it. Using real-world examples, we then illustrate how predictability could save end users and investors millions of dollars in the electricity sector.Sahand Karimi-Arpanahi, S. Ali Pourmousavi, and Nariman Mahdav

Impact of high penetration of PV generation on frequency and voltage in a distribution feeder

This paper presents an evaluation of the impact of various levels of photovoltaic (PV) power penetration in a distribution feeder connected to a simplified grid model (SGM). PV generation is implemented in second-by-second iterations with power output based on actual solar radiation and air temperature data. High penetration levels of intermittent PV generation (15% and 30%) are employed in a feeder-configured microgrid to evaluate grid frequency and voltage characteristics. In this study, only governor droop control is included in the proposed SGM without the secondary control action (known as load frequency control). Two different grid models (fast and slow grid), PV generation configurations (concentrated and distributed), and PV penetration levels (15% and 30%) are considered in the simulation studies. Simulation results indicate the impact of the aforementioned parameters on the system frequency and voltage. Results also reveal that distributed PVs in a wide geographical area with different weather regime have less impact on the frequency and voltage