Model Validation Study for Central American Regional Electrical Interconnected System

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive validation of the dynamic models for the Central American power grid, enhancing reliability analysis through simulation, real disturbance data, and automation tools.

Contribution

It introduces an integrated validation approach for the SER and Mexico models, including automated scripts, to improve grid reliability assessments.

Findings

Validated dynamic models using simulations and real disturbance data

Developed automated validation scripts for EOR engineers

Enhanced the accuracy of the regional power system models

Abstract

The Central American Regional Interconnected Power System (SER) connects six countries: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, it is operated by the regional system operator Ente Operador Regional (EOR). Due to its geographical shape and layout of major transmission lines, SER has a weakly meshed grid, where disturbances can easily propagate, challenging its reliability. Having an accurate dynamic model is important for EOR when facing those reliability challenges. This paper describes interconnection-level model validation efforts for the SER and Mexico interconnected system. A detailed equivalent model of Mexico is incorporated in the existing SER planning model used by EOR. The resultant model is then validated using simulated dynamic contingency analysis and real system disturbance data. A fully automated suite of scripts is also developed and shared with EOR engineers. This work helps EOR improve their validation routine practices, to continuously improve SER dynamic model, and hence its reliability.