Revisiting Power System Stabilizers with Increased Inverter-Based Generation: A Case Study

TL;DR

This paper examines the effectiveness of traditional Power System Stabilizer tuning methods in modern grids with high inverter-based resource penetration, highlighting limitations and advocating for adaptive online tuning approaches.

Contribution

It evaluates existing PSS tuning methods in the context of increased IBRs and advocates for the development of local and adaptive online tuning strategies.

Findings

Residue and P-Vref PSS tuning methods may be ineffective with high IBR penetration.

Limited coordination reduces the effectiveness of traditional PSS tuning.

Adaptive online PSS tuning is recommended for modern power systems.

Abstract

As power systems evolve with increasing production from Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs), their underlying dynamics are undergoing significant changes that can jeopardize system operation, leading to poorly damped oscillations or small-signal rotor angle instability. In this work, we investigate whether Power System Stabilizer (PSS) setting adjustments can effectively restore system stability and provide adequate damping in systems with increased IBR penetration, using the benchmark Kundur Two-Area System as a case study. Specifically, we evaluate the model-based Residues and P-Vref PSS tuning methods to examine their effectiveness under evolving grid conditions. Our findings indicate that the effectiveness of these tuning methods is not guaranteed, particularly when coordination is limited. Consequently, our case study motivates local and adaptive online PSS tuning methods.