Modeling, Analysis and Control Design Complexities in Future Electric Energy Systems

In this paper we suggest that a successful evolution of future electric energy systems will be critically dependent on having a systematic framework for communications and control architectures. These must be capable of ensuring stability and quality of frequency and voltage response in qualitatively different ways than it is currently being done. The main drivers of such change are described first. In particular, the focus of this paper is on the stability problems caused by the wind turbulence in systems with significant wind penetration. Next, solutions to the small signal stability problem, frequency regulation and large wind surge problem are proposed. The solutions are based on the concepts which honor the change in system dynamics caused by the new technologies. The claims are illustrated using realistic data for a small island power system in Flores, Portugal.