Synthetic Discrete Inertia

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel method for generating synthetic inertia using flexible discrete devices to maintain power system stability without traditional generators, validated through simulations on standard test systems.

Contribution

It introduces a new control approach for discrete devices to provide synthetic inertia, addressing cycling issues and demonstrating effectiveness through simulation validation.

Findings

Effective power balance maintenance without synchronous generators

Addresses cycling issues in discrete inertia control

Validated approach on WSCC 9-bus and Irish transmission system simulations

Abstract

This letter demonstrates how synthetic inertia can be obtained with the control of flexible discrete devices to keep the power balance of power systems, even if the system does not include any synchronous generator or conventional grid-forming converter. The letter also discusses solutions to cycling issues, which can arise due to the interaction of uncoordinated discrete inertia controllers. The effectiveness, dynamic performance, and challenges of the proposed approach are validated through simulations using modified versions of the WSCC 9-bus test system and of the all-island Irish transmission system.