Energy management and control of island power systems with increased penetration from renewable sources

Penetration of renewable energy sources in isolated and weakly interconnected power systems can be increased in a secure and reliable way, if advanced control tools are available to the operators of these systems. In this paper the functions of MORE CARE are described. This is an advanced control software system aiming to optimize the operation of isolated and weakly interconnected systems by increasing the share of wind energy and other renewable forms, taking into account pumped hydro storage facilities and providing advanced on-line security functions, both in preventive and corrective mode. The main features of the control system comprise advanced software modules for load and wind power forecasting, unit commitment and economic dispatch of the conventional and renewable units and on-line security assessment capabilities integrated in a friendly man-machine environment. In this way, penetration of renewable energy sources in isolated systems can be increased in a secure and reliable way. Pilot installations of advanced control functions are foreseen on the islands of Crete, Ireland and Madeira.