Challenges and Mitigation Measures in Power Systems with High Share of Renewables—The Australian Experience

Felipe Arraño-Vargas, Zhiwei Shen, Shan Jiang, John Fletcher and Georgios Konstantinou
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Felipe Arraño-Vargas: School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
Zhiwei Shen: School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
Shan Jiang: School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
John Fletcher: School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
Georgios Konstantinou: School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-22

Abstract: Australia is one of the leading countries in energy transition, and its largest power system is intended to securely operate with up to 75% of variable renewable generation by 2025. High-inertia synchronous condensers, battery energy storage systems, and grid-forming converters are some of the technologies supporting this transformation while facilitating the secure operation of the grid. Synchronous condensers have enabled 2500 MW of solar and wind generation in the state of South Australia, reaching minimum operational demands of ≈100 MW. Grid-scale battery energy storage systems have demonstrated not only market benefits by cutting costs to consumers but also essential grid services during contingencies. Fast frequency response, synthetic inertia, and high fault currents are some of the grid-supporting capabilities provided by new developments that strengthen the grid while facilitating the integration of new renewable energy hubs. This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview, based on the Australian experience, of how power systems are overcoming expected challenges while continuing to integrate secure, low cost, and clean energy.

Keywords: inverter-based resource (IBR); low-inertia system; weak grid; system strength; synchronous condenser (SynCon); battery energy storage system (BESS); grid-forming converter; Australian National Electricity Market (NEM) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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