Variable-speed wind generation control for frequency regulation in the Eastern Interconnection (EI)

The United States Eastern Interconnection (EI) might go through some profound changes due to the increasing penetration of wind power in this bulk grid, including the worsening of the frequency response. However, the fast response speed of electronic converter devices makes it possible that the kinetic energy stored and/or wind power reserve (if it exists) in variable-speed wind generation could be injected into the power grid in a fast manner. This portion of fast, injected active power could contribute to frequency regulation of the EI significantly if implemented with appropriate control schemes. This paper introduces the basic theories of fast active power control techniques of variable-speed wind generation. This paper then describes a user-defined wind electrical control model with fast active power controllers built in PSS/E. Based on the 16,000-bus EI system dynamic model, a dynamic case with realistic penetration of wind power is created. Taking advantage of the user-defined wind electrical control model, the potential contribution of variable-speed wind generation to the EI system frequency regulation is evaluated. Simulation results demonstrate that current and future wind generation sources are promising in providing frequency regulation in EI system.