Transmission-and-Distribution Frequency Dynamic Co-Simulation Framework for Distributed Energy Resources Frequency Response

The rapid deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs) in distribution networks has brought challenges to balance the system and stabilize frequency. DERs have the ability to provide frequency regulation; however, existing dynamic frequency simulation tools—which were developed mainly for the transmission system—lack the capability to simulate distribution network dynamics with high penetrations of DERs. Although electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation tools can simulate distribution network dynamics, the computation efficiency limits their use for large-scale transmission-and-distribution (T&D) simulations. This paper presents an efficient T&D dynamic frequency co-simulation framework for DER frequency response based on the HELICS platform and existing off-the-shelf simulators. The challenge of synchronizing frequency between the transmission network and DERs hosted in the distribution network is approached by detailed modeling of DERs in frequency dynamic models while DERs’ phasor models are also preserved in the distribution networks. Thereby, local voltage constraints can be respected when dispatching the DER power for frequency response. The DER frequency responses (primary and secondary)—are simulated in case studies to validate the proposed framework. Lastly, fault-induced delayed voltage recovery (FIDVR) event of a large system is presented to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the overall framework.