Public Abstract

DE-SC0020281: Development and Validation of Models to Assess Dynamic Response of Converter-Dominated Power Systems across Multiple Spatiotemporal Scales

Award Status: Active

Institution: University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
UEI: FDLEQSJ8FF63
DUNS: 615245164

Most Recent Award Date: 11/22/2023
Number of Support Periods: 5
PM: Fitzsimmons, Timothy

Current Budget Period: 08/15/2023 - 08/14/2024
Current Project Period: 08/15/2023 - 08/14/2025
PI: Shirazi, Mariko

Supplement Budget Period: N/A

Public Abstract

Accurate modeling tools are essential to plan and operate a reliable electric power system. Today’s methods and tools have evolved over multiple decades to accurately and efficiently assess the reliability of a grid predominantly shaped by the fundamental physics associated with synchronous machines and by standardized and validated controller models. The increasing penetration of inverter-based resources (IBR) is challenging our ability to use these established approaches. The underlying physical time scales of IBR are much faster than synchronous machines, with the result that their behavior at time scales of interest for power system stability studies is almost entirely driven by control algorithms. Thus, not only may electromagnetic transient (EMT) models become necessary where previously more efficient root-mean-square (RMS) had been used, but also the EMT models themselves may require detailed vendor proprietary converter models to accurately represent dynamics of a converter dominated power system (CDPS). Such simulations are practically and computationally burdensome. As a result, there is currently much discussion in the power system modeling community regarding the appropriate level of detail to include in new models of IBR for power system simulations. Our jurisdictions already have or are expected to have high penetrations of IBR within isolated, regional, and continental grid scales. Through this EPSCoR program, we have been building local expertise to develop and validate modeling and control solutions to this challenge. Programmatically, we are developing strong CDPS modeling programs at University of Alaska Fairbanks’ (UAF’s) Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP); University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez (UPRM); South Dakota State University (SDSU); University of Hawaii (UH) Manoa’s Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI); and University of Maine (UMaine). This program has been successful at building capacity building both at individual institutions and together as a multi-institution team. We have supported and hired early career faculty, enhanced laboratory capabilities, developed a cohesive team, established tangible collaborative research pursuits, and supported a large student cohort. In this proposed renewal, we recognize the national attention focused on modeling of IBRs on the bulk power system (BPS), and we instead leverage our specific team strengths and simultaneously maximize relevance to our collective jurisdictions by placing emphasis on power electronics, microgrids, including isolated power systems, and distribution systems. On the power electronics side (Track 1), we propose to implement the model-based controls and system identification algorithms from Phase 1 and Phase 2 in real-world controllers and develop dedicated hardware. For microgrids (Track 2), we will validate the developed simulation-based NELHA power system models from Phase 2 using data from newly installed power metering; develop dynamic phasor (DP) simulation models of microgrids; develop and validate dynamic models of real spatiotemporally distributed converters including grid-forming inverters; and create model-based approaches to microgrid planning. On the distribution system side (Track 3), we will leverage the new team expertise to analyze the hosting capacity of distribution feeders and impact of increasing deployment of solar PV, battery energy storage, and electric vehicles.

Accurate modeling tools are essential to plan and operate a reliable electric power system. Today’s methods and tools have evolved over multiple decades to accurately and efficiently assess the reliability of a grid predominantly shaped by the fundamental physics associated with synchronous machines and by standardized and validated controller models. The increasing penetration of inverter-based resources (IBR) is challenging our ability to use these established approaches. The underlying physical time scales of IBR are much faster than synchronous machines, with the result that their behavior at time scales of interest for power system stability studies is almost entirely driven by control algorithms. Thus, not only may electromagnetic transient (EMT) models become necessary where previously more efficient root-mean-square (RMS) had been used, but also the EMT models themselves may require detailed vendor proprietary converter models to accurately represent dynamics of a converter dominated power system (CDPS). Such simulations are practically and computationally burdensome. As a result, there is currently much discussion in the power system modeling community regarding the appropriate level of detail to include in new models of IBR for power system simulations.

Our jurisdictions already have or are expected to have high penetrations of IBR within isolated, regional, and continental grid scales. Through this EPSCoR program, we have been building local expertise to develop and validate modeling and control solutions to this challenge. Programmatically, we are developing strong CDPS modeling programs at University of Alaska Fairbanks’ (UAF’s) Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP); University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez (UPRM); South Dakota State University (SDSU); University of Hawaii (UH) Manoa’s Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI); and University of Maine (UMaine). This program has been successful at building capacity building both at individual institutions and together as a multi-institution team. We have supported and hired early career faculty, enhanced laboratory capabilities, developed a cohesive team, established tangible collaborative research pursuits, and supported a large student cohort.

In this proposed renewal, we recognize the national attention focused on modeling of IBRs on the bulk power system (BPS), and we instead leverage our specific team strengths and simultaneously maximize relevance to our collective jurisdictions by placing emphasis on power electronics, microgrids, including isolated power systems, and distribution systems. On the power electronics side (Track 1), we propose to implement the model-based controls and system identification algorithms from Phase 1 and Phase 2 in real-world controllers and develop dedicated hardware. For microgrids (Track 2), we will validate the developed simulation-based NELHA power system models from Phase 2 using data from newly installed power metering; develop dynamic phasor (DP) simulation models of microgrids; develop and validate dynamic models of real spatiotemporally distributed converters including grid-forming inverters; and create model-based approaches to microgrid planning. On the distribution system side (Track 3), we will leverage the new team expertise to analyze the hosting capacity of distribution feeders and impact of increasing deployment of solar PV, battery energy storage, and electric vehicles.