In the rapidly evolving energy sector, the integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid has become a pressing priority. A recent study published in the *Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University* offers a promising solution to one of the critical challenges in this transition: the black start of thermal power plants using photovoltaic microgrids equipped with large-capacity distributed energy storage.
The research, led by ZHOU Xia and colleagues from the Institute of Advanced Technology and the College of Automation and College of Artificial Intelligence at Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, introduces a coordinated control strategy designed to address the frequent fluctuations in active power during the black-start period. This strategy is crucial for preventing the state of charge (SOC) of distributed energy storage units from exceeding their limits, which could otherwise lead to the failure of the black-start process.
“The proposed strategy combines load tracking control of the photovoltaic system and maximum power tracking (MPPT) control,” explains ZHOU Xia. “This ensures that the photovoltaic output effectively tracks the microgrid load, preventing the SOC from exceeding its limit. When the photovoltaic output becomes unbalanced with the black-start load, the distributed energy storage system smooths the active power difference of the system.”
One of the key innovations in this research is the improvement of droop control for traditional energy storage units. This enhancement ensures that active power distribution is based on the energy storage SOC, enabling SOC balance among energy storage units. Additionally, the strategy employs secondary control of the energy storage units based on a distributed consensus protocol, which ensures frequency stability during the active power fluctuations that occur during the black start process.
The implications of this research for the energy sector are significant. As the proportion of new energy in the power grid continues to increase, the ability to reliably initiate black starts using photovoltaic microgrids becomes increasingly important. The coordinated control strategy proposed by ZHOU Xia and his team offers a robust solution to this challenge, potentially enhancing the stability and reliability of the power grid.
“The simulation results verify the feasibility of black start and the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy,” notes ZHOU Xia. This validation is a crucial step towards the practical implementation of the strategy in real-world scenarios.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, research like this plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of power generation and distribution. The coordinated control strategy not only addresses immediate challenges but also paves the way for more sophisticated and efficient energy management systems. With the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources, such innovations will be essential in ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply for years to come.