Synchronverter assessment for the frequency regulation of control areas encompassing Renewable Distributed Generation

Abstract The efforts to reduce the impact of the electric power generation from fossil fuels have been conducted to increase renewable energy sources and the trend to implement a decentralised scheme by distributed generation systems. However, small power plants' use does not contribute to the frequency regulation in the electrical power system due to the lack of the inertia and damping properties of synchronous generators used conventionally. This condition can produce unpredictable and unstable operational conditions of multi-area power systems. Hence, this paper aims to assess a voltage source converter (VSC) controlled by a synchronverter to help in frequency regulation in power networks that contain an actual number of renewable sources connected. The contribution lies in using the synchronverter as a control element capable of interacting correctly in a power network with a distributed generation system integrated with synchronous generators and renewable energy sources. Under this scenario, a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) strategy of a photovoltaic-fuel cell-battery power generation system demonstrates that the VSC controlled by a synchronverter can react adequately under frequency deviations. A three power plants' performance, a conventional one and two photovoltaic (P.V.) farms handled by a synchronverter tied through a transmission link, is studied to demonstrate that the frequency viewpoint's behaviour and control purposes are satisfied. The results show the viability of the synchronverter as a frequency control strategy in electrical networks.