Asynchronous Grid Connections Providing Fast-Frequency Response: System Integration Study

TL;DR

This study evaluates the integration of asynchronous grid connections for fast-frequency response, demonstrating technical feasibility, dynamic performance, and economic viability through simulations and experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a novel asynchronous grid connection approach for fast-frequency response, validated with hardware-in-the-loop tests and market simulations.

Findings

Asynchronous connections enable effective fast-frequency response.

Droop control allows aggregation of distributed generators for grid support.

Economic analysis shows potential revenue over 15 years.

Abstract

This paper presents an integration study for a power electronic-based fast-frequency response technology, an asynchronous grid connection operating as an aggregator for behindthe-meter resources and distributed generators. Both technical feasibility and techno-economic viability studies are presented. The dynamic performance of the fast-frequency response enabled by the asynchronous grid connection is validated with Power Hardware-in-the-Loop experiments and transferred to an IEEE 9-bus system in DigSilent PowerFactory for dynamic stability analysis. We demonstrate that droop-based control enhancements to the local distributed generators could allow their aggregation to provide grid-supporting functionalities and participate in the market for ancillary services. To this end, we performed a long-term simulation embedding the system within the ancillary service market framework of PJM. The fast-frequency response regulation is subsequently used to calculate the potential revenue and project the results on a 15-year investment horizon. Finally, the techno-economic analysis concludes with recommendations for enhancements to access the full potential of distributed generators on a technical and regulatory level.