Pilot Study on Grid Stability

Assessment for the Island of Palau

(Preliminary results)

Flavio Fernández, Stefan Weigel,

José Gomez and Julius Susanto
DIgSILENT GmbH, Germany

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 1

Overview of the Presentation

 Introduction
 Project background
 Solar resource metrics
 Characterization of power output fluctuations
 Impact on the system stability

 Frequency Stability (PV penetration 5%(current), 30%, 70%)

 Power balance and generation dispatch
 Assessment of dynamic frequency stability

 Fault-Ride Through

 Conclusions and recommendations. The way forward.

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 2

Project Background

 Part of the IRENA Islands Initiative project to assist islands in the Pacific
Region with their planning for renewable energy integration, especially the
grid stability assessment and identification of specific technology solutions

 Objectives
 Develop a methodology of assessing the impact of different levels of
variable generation on power quality (focus on frequency stability)
 Set up a simulation model to assess the dynamic stability of the system
(pilot project: the system of Palau island has been chosen)
 Identify the amount of renewable generation that the system can
accommodate without affecting the power quality
 Identify specific technology solutions (like for instance storage) where
required

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 3

Project Background

 What has already been done:

 Steady-state data from a previous PPA’s loss study converted from
EasyPower software into DIgSILENT PowerFactory.
 Results validated for load flow.
 Collection and modeling of load/PV-resource profiles:
 PV power output available for one year in 1hs resolution
 Load profile available for 1 week, in 1hs resolution
 Model setup using standard dynamic data.
 Preliminary results:
 Assessment of frequency stability for PV penetration levels of 5%
(current status), 30%, 50% and 70%.
 Subject to validation of the dynamic model

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 4

Project Background

 Next steps:
 Validation of dynamic data
 Collection and verification of missing data:
 Load shedding scheme (incl. tripping times)
 Contingency reserve
 Voltage/Frequency dependency of loads
 Investigate voltage stability and transient stability (contingent on
receiving the necessary dynamic data)
 Delivery of the study report including results, conclusions and
recommendations.

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 5

 Solar Resource Metrics

Characterization of PV power
output fluctuations

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 6

Penetration-Level Metrics

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 7

PV Power Output Variability

 Characterization of PV power output fluctuations is important to assess

the impact of PV plants on system stability

 Fluctuations of PV power output depend mainly on:

 Size of the PV plant
 Geographical dispersion of the PV plants
 Ramp rate interval (i.e. time interval during which fluctuations occur)
 Weather conditions

 Time-based measurements can be used to statistically characterize the

amplitude and frequency of occurrence of the fluctuations, usually
presented as:
 Distribution of changes (how often they occur) as a function of the
fluctuation amplitude for given ramp rate intervals
 Percentage of maximum fluctuations as a function of the ramp rate
interval
Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 8
PV Power Output Variability

 Power fluctuations for four ramp rate intervals of a 1MW PV plant (at STC) and
the existing PV plants in Palau (installed capacity 770 kW)
5.0
1 hour

10 m
4.0
Relative Frequency (%)

1m

10 s
3.0
Palau (1 hour)

2.0

1.0

0.0
-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60
Power Fluctuation (% of PV rating)

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 9

PV Power Output Variability

 Time-series measurements provided by PPA over a 1 year period for the

currently existing PV plants (installed power approx. 770 kW) with an
hourly time resolution:
 Reserve requirement based on a confidence level of 99.7%
(corresponds to 3δ): 35% of PV power output (orange curve in
previous slide, Palau’s case)

 For the characterization of short-term fluctuations, measurements with a

higher time resolution are required (seconds to minutes)
 A reliable characterization of short-term PV power output fluctuations
(from 1s to aporox. 10 minutes) will allow an accurate calculation of
minimum spinning reserves and therefore an optimization of diesel
dispatch and/or additional solutions (such as storage)

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 10

 Frequency Stability

Spinning Reserve and PV

Output Fluctuations

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 11

Frequency Stability: Spinning Reserve

 Incremental need for additional operating reserves due to higher penetration-

levels of non-dispatchable generation:
 Disturbance (contingency) reserve: current 2 MW for Palau grid
 Additional reserve: 35% of installed PV generation for Palau grid

 Additional reserve calculated based on the probability distribution of PV power

output fluctuations:
 35% of PV power output
 Demand time-series are not available (for the same period of PV
measurements) so that no correlation between load and PV generation
can be considered (conservative assumption)

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 12

Frequency Stability: Spinning Reserve

 Dispatch of diesel generators:

• Dispatch to meet minimum operating reserve (contingency reserve +
additional reserve)
• Observation of maximum and minimum power output operational limits
• Merit order according to fuel costs
• Analysis carried out for 7 days for which demand data is available
• From May 2014, two new diesel units in Aimeliik (2 x 4.5 MW) will also
available

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 13

5% PV Penetration Level (current status)

DIgSILENT
1.55E+4

1.30E+4

1.05E+4

8.00E+3

5.50E+3

3.00E+3
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Dispatch Merit Order: Net load in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Minimum dispatch pow er in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Maximum dispatch pow er in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Required dispatch pow er in kW

1.60E+4 800,00

1.40E+4 600,00

1.20E+4 400,00

1.00E+4 200,00

8.00E+3 0,00

6.00E+3 -200,00
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Dispatch Merit Order: Net load in kW Dispatch Merit Order: Renew able generation in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Required dispatch pow er in kW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 14

5% PV Penetration Level (current status)

DIgSILENT
6,00

5,00

4,00

3,00

2,00

1,00
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Dispatch Merit Order: Number of dispatched generators

6000,00

5000,00

4000,00

3000,00

2000,00

1000,00
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Active Pow er in kW
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA2: Active Pow er in kW

1.6E+3

1.2E+3

8.0E+2

4.0E+2

0.0E+0

-4.0E+2
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
MALAKAL_Site\MIT13: Active Pow er in kW
MALAKAL_Site\MIT12: Active Pow er in kW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 15

5% PV Penetration Level (current status)

 As dynamic data of diesel generators is not available, model has been set up
using standard controllers and parameters.

 An indirect validation exercise was done by simulating a load step change:

 2.5 MW of 12 MW dispatched generation (Nigatta 1 and 2, Mit13) and
comparison against the maximum frequency excursion allowable in the
system
 PPA advised that the system remains stable and within frequency limits
after such a load step:
 Max. allowed deviation: +/- 1.0 Hz (steady state)
 First under frequency relay: 58,2 Hz
 The simulation results confirmed these observations.

 It is strongly recommended to validate the model against records of system

perturbations (not available at this time).

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 16

5% PV Penetration Level (current status)

DIgSILENT
60,50

60,00

59.5 Hz
59,50

59,00 0.702 s
58.475 p.u.
58,50
1st Underf requency Relay @58.2 Hz
58,00
0,00 4,00 8,00 12,00 16,00 [s] 20,00
MALAKAL_Site\PP-MALAKAL-BUS4: Electrical Frequency in p.u. (base: 0,02 )

6,00

5,00

4,00

3,00

2,00

1,00
0,00 4,00 8,00 12,00 16,00 [s] 20,00
MALAKAL_Site\MIT13: Positive-Sequence, Active Pow er in MW
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Positive-Sequence, Active Pow er in MW
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA2: Positive-Sequence, Active Pow er in MW

8,00

6,00
0.005 s
2.561 MW
4,00

2,00

0,00

-2,00
0,00 4,00 8,00 12,00 16,00 [s] 20,00
Base Load: Total A ctive Pow er in MW
Variable Load: Total Active Pow er in MW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 17

30% PV Penetration Level

DIgSILENT
2.20E+4

1.80E+4

1.40E+4

1.00E+4

6.00E+3

2.00E+3
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Dispatch Merit Order: Net load in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Minimum dispatch pow er in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Maximum dispatch pow er in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Required dispatch pow er (incl. PV reserve) in kW

1.65E+4 5.0E+3

1.40E+4 3.8E+3

1.15E+4 2.5E+3

9.00E+3 1.3E+3

6.50E+3 0.0E+0

4.00E+3 -1.3E+3
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Summary Grid: General Load, A ctive Pow er in kW Dispatch Merit Order: Renew able generation in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Required dispatch pow er (incl. PV reserve) in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Required dispatch pow er (w /o PV reserve) in kW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 18

30% PV Penetration Level

DIgSILENT
X = 60,000
6,00

5,00

4,00

3.000
3,00

2,00

1,00
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Dispatch Merit Order: Number of dispatched generators

6000,00

5000,00

4000,00

3000,00

2000,00

1000,00
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Active Pow er in kW
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA2: Active Pow er in kW

4.0E+3

3.0E+3

2.0E+3

1.0E+3

0.0E+0

-1.0E+3
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
AIMELLIK_Site\New Unit-1: Active Pow er in kW
AIMELLIK_Site\New Unit-2: Active Pow er in kW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 19

30% PV Penetration Level

DIgSILENT
X = -3,500 s X = 20,000 s
60,30
60.000 p.u.
59,90
59,50
59.130 p.u.
59,10
58,70
58,30 Y = 58,200 p.u.
-5,000 2,000 9,000 16,00 23,00 [s] 30,00
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Frequency Output in p.u. (base: 0,02 p.u.)

X = -3,500 s X = 20,000 s
4,00
3,00 3.523 MW

2,00
1,00
0.000 MW
0,00
-1,00
-5,000 2,000 9,000 16,00 23,00 [s] 30,00
Total PV Generation: Total PV Generation in MW

X = -3,500 s X = 20,000 s
6,25
5,00 4.646 MW
3.432 MW 3.743 MW
3,75
2,50 2.000 MW
1.354 MW
1,25 0.800 MW
0,00
-5,000 2,000 9,000 16,00 23,00 [s] 30,00
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Positive-Sequence, Active Pow er in MW
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA2: Positive-Sequence, Active Pow er in MW
MALAKAL_Site\WA RT1: Positive-Sequence, A ctive Pow er in MW

X = -3,500 s X = 20,000 s
9800,00
9700,00
9610.513 kW
9600,00 9566.671 kW
9500,00
9400,00
9300,00
-5,000 2,000 9,000 16,00 23,00 [s] 30,00
Summary Grid: General Load, A ctive Pow er in kW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 20

30% PV Penetration Level

 Power balance/ dispatch

• Renewable generation sees as negative load

• Additional spinning reserve required to cover most of PV power
output variability: in Palau’s case +35% of PV generation for time
intervals of 1 hour

 Frequency stability

• Even the sudden loss of all PV power output (previous simulation)

does not cause a frequency instability in the system but the diesel
generators can manage the PV output fluctuation
• Same frequency behavior expected as in the current system with no
(or very low level) of renewable penetration

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 21

70% PV Penetration Level

DIgSILENT
2.00E+4

1.60E+4

1.20E+4

8.00E+3

4.00E+3

0.00E+0
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Dispatch Merit Order: Net load in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Minimum dispatch pow er in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Maximum dispatch pow er in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Required dispatch pow er (incl. PV reserve) in kW

1.60E+4 1.0E+4

1.30E+4 7.5E+3

1.00E+4 5.0E+3

7.00E+3 2.5E+3

4.00E+3 0.0E+0

1.00E+3 -2.5E+3
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Dispatch Merit Order: Net load in kW Dispatch Merit Order: Renew able generation in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Required dispatch pow er (incl. PV reserve) in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Required dispatch pow er (w /o PV reserve) in kW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 22

70% PV Penetration Level

DIgSILENT
5,00
4,00
3,00
2,00
1,00
0,00
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Dispatch Merit Order: Number of dispatched generators

6000,00
5000,00
4000,00
3000,00
2000,00
1000,00
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Active Pow er in kW
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA2: Active Pow er in kW

4.0E+3
3.0E+3
2.0E+3
1.0E+3
0.0E+0
-1.0E+3
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
AIMELLIK_Site\New Unit-1: Active Pow er in kW

2.0E+3
1.0E+3
0.0E+0
-1.0E+3
-2.0E+3
-3.0E+3
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Storage: Active Pow er in kW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 23

The Role of Storage with Increasing Penetration Levels

 At high PV penetration-levels, storage could be used to cover short time

fluctuations in PV supply and hence to allow for significant reductions in the
consumption of fuel (reduction of the number of running diesel generators)

 The main system reserve remains the diesel generation

 However, the amount of storage is generally driven by the cost of energy

(COE) and economics.
 Additional studies are required to determine the optimal integration
conditions

 Storage technologies
 Freewheels (discharge time ~ seconds to few minutes, power rating <
1MW)
 Li-Ion and Lead-Acid Batteries (discharge time ~ minutes, power rating
< 1MW)

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 24

 70% PV Penetration Level

DIgSILENT
X = -2,000 s X = 20,000 s
60,30
60.000 p.u.
59,80
59,30
58.993 p.u.
58,80
58,30 58.200 p.u. 58.200 p.u. Y = 58,200 p.u.

57,80
-5,000 2,000 9,000 16,00 23,00 [s] 30,00
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Frequency Output in p.u. (base: 0,02 p.u.)

X = -2,000 s X = 20,000 s
9,00
8,00
7.321 MW
7,00
6,00
5.246 MW
5,00
4,00
-5,000 2,000 9,000 16,00 23,00 [s] 30,00
Total PV Generation: Total PV Generation in MW

X = -2,000 s X = 20,000 s
5,00
4,00 3.560 MW
3,00
2.132 MW
2,00 1.441 MW
1,00 0.800 MW
0,00
-5,000 2,000 9,000 16,00 23,00 [s] 30,00
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Positive-Sequence, Active Pow er in MW
MALAKAL_Site\WA RT1: Positive-Sequence, A ctive Pow er in MW

X = -2,000 s X = 20,000 s
1.01E+4
10094.035 kW 10086.038 kW
1.01E+4
1.00E+4
9.96E+3
9.91E+3
9.86E+3
-5,000 2,000 9,000 16,00 23,00 [s] 30,00
Summary Grid: General Load, A ctive Pow er in kW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 25

70% PV Penetration Level
(without additional reserve for PV Generation)

DIgSILENT
2.00E+4

1.60E+4

1.20E+4

8.00E+3

4.00E+3

0.00E+0
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Dispatch Merit Order: Net load in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Minimum dispatch pow er in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Maximum dispatch pow er in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Required dispatch pow er in kW

1.60E+4 1.0E+4

1.30E+4 7.5E+3

1.00E+4 5.0E+3

7.00E+3 2.5E+3

4.00E+3 0.0E+0

1.00E+3 -2.5E+3
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Dispatch Merit Order: Net load in kW Dispatch Merit Order: Renew able generation in kW
Dispatch Merit Order: Required dispatch pow er in kW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 26

70% PV Penetration Level
(without additional reserve for PV Generation)

DIgSILENT
5,00
4,00
3,00
2,00
1,00
0,00
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Dispatch Merit Order: Number of dispatched generators

5.0E+3
3.8E+3
2.5E+3
1.3E+3
0.0E+0
-1.3E+3
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Active Pow er in kW
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA2: Active Pow er in kW

4.0E+3
3.0E+3
2.0E+3
1.0E+3
0.0E+0
-1.0E+3
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
AIMELLIK_Site\New Unit-1: Active Pow er in kW

2.0E+3
1.0E+3
-2.3E-1..
-1.0E+3
-2.0E+3
-3.0E+3
0,000 33,20 66,40 99,60 132,8 [-] 166,0
Storage: Active Pow er in kW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 27

 70% PV Penetration Level:
Without Additional Reserve for PV Generation

DIgSILENT
X = -2,000 s X = 25,000 s
60,20
60.001 p.u.
59,90
59,60
59,30 59.158 p.u.
59,00
58,70
-5,000 2,000 9,000 16,00 23,00 [s] 30,00
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Frequency Output in p.u. (base: 0,02 p.u.)

X = -2,000 s X = 25,000 s
7,80
7.606 MW
7,50
7,20
6,90
6,60
6.410 MW
6,30
-5,000 2,000 9,000 16,00 23,00 [s] 30,00
Total PV Generation: Total PV Generation in MW

X = -2,000 s X = 25,000 s
4,00
3,70 3.841 MW

3,40
3,10
2,80 2.652 MW
2,50
-5,000 2,000 9,000 16,00 23,00 [s] 30,00
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Positive-Sequence, Active Pow er in MW

X = -2,000 s X = 25,000 s
1.01E+4
10092.506 kW 10084.094 kW
1.01E+4
1.00E+4
9.96E+3
9.91E+3
9.86E+3
-5,000 2,000 9,000 16,00 23,00 [s] 30,00
Summary Grid: General Load, A ctive Pow er in kW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 28

 Frequency Stability

After a Fault

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 29

 5% PV Penetration Level: FRT Capability

DIgSILENT
60,60

60,40

60,20

60,00

59,80

59,60
0,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 [s] 10,00
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Frequency Output in p.u. (base: 0,02 p.u.)

1,25

1,00

0,75

0,50

0,25

0,00
0,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 [s] 10,00
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Terminal Voltage in p.u.
MALAKAL_Site\PP-MALAKAL-BUS4: Voltage, Magnitude in p.u.
F-AIRAI-10: Voltage, Magnitude in p.u.

1,00

0,80

0,60

0,40

0,20

0,00
0,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 [s] 10,00
Total PV Generation: Total PV Generation in MW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 30

 30% PV Penetration Level: FRT Capability

DIgSILENT
60,90

60,60

60,30

60,00

59,70

59,40
0,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 [s] 10,00
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Frequency Output in p.u. (base: 0,02 p.u.)
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Frequency Output in p.u. (base: 0,02 p.u.)

1,20

0,90

0,60

0,30

0,00

-0,30
0,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 [s] 10,00
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Terminal Voltage in p.u.
MALAKAL_Site\PP-MALAKAL-BUS4: Voltage, Magnitude in p.u.
F-AIRAI-10: Voltage, Magnitude in p.u.

5,00

4,00

3,00

2,00

1,00

0,00
0,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 [s] 10,00
Total PV Generation: Total PV Generation in MW
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Positive-Sequence, Active Pow er in MW
MALAKAL_Site\WA RT1: Positive-Sequence, A ctive Pow er in MW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 31

 70% PV Penetration Level: FRT Capability

DIgSILENT
61,50

61,00

60,50

60,00

59,50

59,00
0,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 [s] 10,00
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Frequency (considering Storage)
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Frequency (w ithout Storage)

1,30

1,00

0,70

0,40

0,10

-0,20
0,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 [s] 10,00
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Terminal Voltage in p.u.
MALAKAL_Site\PP-MALAKAL-BUS4: Voltage, Magnitude in p.u.
F-AIRAI-10: Voltage, Magnitude in p.u.

10,00

7,50

5,00

2,50

0,00

-2,50
0,00 2,00 4,00 6,00 8,00 [s] 10,00
Total PV Generation: Total PV Generation in MW
MALAKAL_Site\NIIGATA1: Positive-Sequence, Active Pow er in MW

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 32

Fault-Ride-Through Capability

 PV generators operate in “voltage support” mode and therefore inject

reactive power during the fault.

 As a consequence, the active power output of PV generators is

automatically reduced during faults.

 Hence for increasing levels of PV penetration, the power reduction (in

absolute terms) during the fault will increase and therefore the system will
experience a higher transient frequency deviation.

 Transient frequency behavior depends on:

 Voltage and frequency dependency of the loads (modelled as PQ loads
in these simulations – may not be a good assumption)
 The fault clearing times (assumed 150ms in these simulations)
 These models parameters were not known at the time of the study
and therefore the results have to be verified

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 33

Fault-Ride-Through Capability

 A relative small storage system (Battery or Flywheel) can help to reduce

frequency deviations and improve the frequency response during faults.
 Size of the battery/storage system depend on the maximum frequency
deviations that want to be achieved
 However, unknown relevant model parameters (fault clearing times,
voltage dependency of the loads) have be verified firstly.

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 34

 Conclusions

The Way Forward

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 35

Conclusions

 PV penetration level ≤ 30%

 Can be integrated without any special control requirements (change in
dispatch strategy, balancing mechanisms, storage, etc.)
• Complexity of system operation remains the same
 Power balancing/dispatch:
• Renewable generation seen as negative load
• Additional spinning reserve required to cover most of PV power
output variability: in Palau’s case +35% of PV generation for time
intervals of 1 hour (confidence level of 99.7% of the variations on
a Gaussian distribution, i.e. 3δ)
 Frequency stability
• PV power output variability for time intervals from 1s up to 10m
do not negatively impact the dynamic behavior of the frequency
• Same frequency behavior expected as in the current system with
no (or very low level) of renewable penetration

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 36

Conclusions

 PV penetration level > 30%

 In order to avoid curtailing PV output during time times of high PV
generation, the number of diesel generators dispatched can be
reduced (in order to minimize fuel costs).
 A reduced number of running diesel machines reduces the spinning
reserve and therefore the maximum PV power output fluctuation that
the system can allow (for 70% PV penetration the maximum allowable
PV fluctuation is of about 16%).
 Based on the currently available PV time-series measurements, higher
fluctuations cannot be precluded.
 Additional spinning reserve and frequency control can be achieved by
the installation of flywheels or batteries (storage)
 Amount of storage generally driven by economics
• Additional studies required to determine the optimal level of
storage (economics)
Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 37
Conclusions

 PV penetration level > 30% (cont.)

 Increased need for control and operational requirements (e.g. change
in dispatch strategy, balancing mechanisms, storage, etc.) leads to
increased complexity of system operation
 However, simulation tools with an adequate model of the power
system can be used to automatically calculate required reserves and
diesel dispatch

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 38

The Way Forward

 Short and medium term plan:

 Up to 30% of PV penetration level (instantaneous, i.e. power
penetration) no changed required
 To minimize PV power output fluctuations and hence reduce the total
amount of spinning reserve, a geographical dispersed PV generation
should be preferred.
 Long term plans
 To allow PV penetration levels > 30%:
 High quality of PV generation/ solar irradiance measurements
would be of a great advantage
 Dynamic stability can be guaranteed by an adequate allocation of
additional reserves (in terms of diesel generation or storage)
 Additional studies required to determine economically optimal
penetration level (i.e. balance between diesel reserve and
additional storage reserve in terms of flywheels or batteries)

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 39

 Thanks for your attention

Grid Stability Workshop. Pacific Islands 40