Researchers Xian Wu, Jan H. van Schuppen, and Hai Xiang Lin from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands have proposed a new control framework to address the challenges of integrating renewable energy sources into distribution networks. Their work, published in the IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, focuses on maintaining frequency and voltage stability in a future decarbonized power system.
The growing adoption of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, presents significant challenges to the stability of distribution networks. These sources are intermittent and have low-inertia dynamics, which can lead to frequency and voltage fluctuations. To mitigate these issues, the researchers propose using energy storage systems as power buffers. These systems can absorb excess power during periods of high renewable generation and release it during periods of low generation, thereby stabilizing the network.
The researchers have developed a nonlinear interconnected model to characterize the complex dynamics across multiple levels of the distribution network. This model allows them to understand how different parts of the network interact and how these interactions can affect stability. To reduce the operational complexity and communication overhead of these dynamics, they have proposed a distributed linear quadratic regulator control strategy. This strategy involves information exchange in a bottom-up approach, where each level of the network implements local feedback control within a short time horizon.
The researchers have established stability conditions for both open-loop and closed-loop systems using Lyapunov-based analysis. This analysis provides a mathematical framework for understanding the stability of dynamic systems. The researchers have also derived explicit performance bounds to quantify the optimal difference between the proposed distributed strategy and the centralized control method. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed framework in maintaining network stability.
The practical applications of this research for the energy sector are significant. As the share of renewable energy sources in the power system increases, the need for advanced control strategies to maintain stability will become increasingly important. The proposed framework can help distribution network operators to integrate more renewable energy sources into their networks, thereby contributing to the decarbonization of the power system. Moreover, the use of energy storage systems as power buffers can help to smooth out the fluctuations in renewable energy generation, making it a more reliable and dispatchable source of power.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.