Application of magnetic energy storage unit as load-frequency stabilizer

Fast-acting energy storage devices can effectively damp electromechanical oscillations in a power system because they provide storage capacity in addition to the kinetic energy of the generator rotor, which can share the sudden changes in power requirement. The effectiveness of small-sized magnetic energy storage (MES) units (both superconducting and normal loss types) for this application is shown, and means of best utilizing the small energy storage capacity of such units to improve the load-frequency dynamics of large power areas are suggested. The proposed method of improving the load frequency control of power systems has the advantage that it does not require the governor or any other part of the power system to perform any sophisticated control action. The control logic suggested for this purpose takes the area control error as its input and uses inductor current deviation feedback. In a power system with a SMES (superconducting MES) unit, the optimal setting of the integrator gain is altered to a higher value. With the suggested control measure, SMES units of 4-6 MJ capacity would suffice in reducing the maximum deviations of frequency and tie-line power flow by about 40% in power areas of 1000-2000 MW capacity.>