Factors and options for improved frequency regulation: Case study of utility scale solar in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper presents the structure, tuning, and evaluation of a model for power system frequency response in Nigeria. We demonstrate that a 100MW utility scale solar farm is unlikely to degrade frequency performance, and we quantify the effect of several possible interventions to improve frequency regulation. The Nigerian system already experiences wide frequency variations due to steel mill loads and load rejection during storms, and this often necessitates manual intervention and load management. The model is one of several employed in grid-integration evaluations of proposed large utility-scale solar farms. The model is intended to support ongoing discussions on how grid code and market policies should specify ancillary services supplied by participants.