Open AccessPower system stability analysis under increasing penetration of photovoltaic power plants with synchronous power controllers
Author(s) -
Remon Daniel,
Cantarellas Antoni M.,
Mauricio Juan Manuel,
Rodriguez Pedro
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
iet renewable power generation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1752-1424
pISSN - 1752-1416
DOI - 10.1049/iet-rpg.2016.0904
Subject(s) - maximum power point tracking , electric power system , photovoltaic system , renewable energy , grid connected photovoltaic power system , grid parity , engineering , electrical engineering , wind power , power electronics , automotive engineering , base load power plant , stand alone power system , power (physics) , distributed generation , voltage , physics , inverter , quantum mechanics
The utilisation of renewable sources brings many benefits to electric power systems, but also some challenges such as the impact that renewable power plants employing power electronics have on the grid, which is gaining importance as the penetration of this type of generating stations increases, driven by the construction of large wind or solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants. This study analyses the impact of large‐scale PV power plants on a transmission grid for different penetration levels. The analysis considers power plants formed by a number of power converters employing synchronous power controllers (SPCs), that allow them to have a harmonious interaction with the grid, and compares their performance with that of conventional power converter controllers, assuming in both cases that the power plants participate in frequency and voltage regulation. The study addresses both the small‐signal stability of the system and its response to large disturbances that alter the active power balance and frequency stability. The results of the analysis show that PV power plants using SPCs are able to limit frequency deviations, improve the oscillation damping, and reduce the stress of other generating units, thus having a beneficial impact on the power system.