New thermal governor model development: its impact on operation and planning studies on the Western Interconnection

A new thermal turbine-governor modeling approach based on the improved simulation of base-loaded units and load-controlled units, has been developed in the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). The development of this model went through an extensive study process, which included validation to staged WECC system tests and verification with respect to numerous large system disturbances. The new modeling approach is being currently used in all operation and planning studies in the WECC. Although the model discussed in this article was concerned with the governing of the WECC, specifically, the Western Interconnection in North America, the general principles of the new thermal governor modeling approach clearly apply to all interconnections, large and small.