DYNASTY: Dynamic Inertia analysis and estimation in low-inertia grids

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Antonello Monti; Professor Dr.-Ing. Albert Moser
• Subject Area: Electrical Energy Systems, Power Management, Power Electronics, Electrical Machines and Drives
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 508338212

As power electronics penetrate the AC grid, a new challenge is emerging for both power electronic and power systems engineers. The inertia of the grid is rapidly decreasing thus forcing the reconsideration of the fundamentals of power system dynamics. This challenge relates to several aspects of the dynamic of power systems. DYNASTY focuses on this fact: the traditional separation between electromechanical dynamics and electromagnetic dynamics is losing meaning. Consequently, the modeling methods used to determine frequency stability for large grids need to be reconsidered. This problem is affecting both static and dynamic stability assessment. Changes in the grid dynamics are particularly evident in grids operating in island and, in this respect, Taiwan is a very good example. Taipower, the Transmission System Operator in Taiwan, is facing challenges in maintaining a stable system frequency and voltage because of growing penetration of renewable energy. We can state that analyzing the dynamics of grids such as the one in Taiwan, offers a blink into the future of currently more robust grids such as the grid in Germany. In practice, the problems will emerge at different levels of penetration of renewables, depending on the robustness of the grid. At the same time, the experience developed at RWTH in modeling systems via Frequency Shift Analysis (FSA) is a great contribution for the researchers in Taiwan to solve concrete problems already appearing in their grid today. These changes are calling for new tools and new approaches that should be integrated in the control rooms of the future. To go beyond the state of the art, the project DYNASTY proposes to achieve the following original scientific contributions: (i) automatic identification of eigenvalues in the new FSA domain for stability assessment; (ii) new formulation of the static stability assessment with incorporation of constraints related to low inertia; (iii) new methodologies for system level inertia identification (iv) validation of the approach by means of experimental data.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Taiwan
• Partner Organisation: National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Chun-Lien Su