Study of Wind and PV Frequency Control in U.S. Power Grids—EI and TI Case Studies

Abstract

Renewable generations, such as variable-speed wind and photovoltaic (PV) power plants, have been expected to contribute to power systems’ frequency response. This paper studies wind and PV power plants’ frequency control in the U.S. Eastern Interconnection (EI) and Texas Interconnection (TI). Wide-area frequency measurement-validated EI and TI dynamic models and realistically projected renewable distribution information make these two case studies much more practical than previous studies based on only small test system models. A set of wind and PV power plant frequency controls, such as inertia control and governor control, are employed. This paper serves as a practical guidance on how to implement wind and PV frequency controls in a bulk power system with a high renewable penetration.