Impact of Wind Active Power Control Strategies on Frequency Response of an Interconnection

High penetrations of variable generation presents challenges for reliable operation of the power system. Ensuring adequate primary frequency response is one such concern as the generation mix changes with increasing penetration of variable generation and planned retirements of fossil-fired generation. However, inverter-coupled wind generation is capable of contributing to primary frequency response. The focus of the simulation work presented in this paper is to assess the impact of active power control strategies of wind generation on the primary frequency response of an interconnection. All simulations were conducted using the General Electric (GE) PSLF® simulation tool. The base case utilized was developed from the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) Transmission Expansion Planning Policy Committee (TEPPC) 2022 case with light spring load conditions with approximately 15% wind penetration. The 20, 30 and 40% wind penetration study cases were derived from the base case by strategically replacing thermal units throughout the WECC regions with wind generation. The results presented here are intended to develop a broad understanding of potential impact of changing generation mix and wind generation active power controls on the primary frequency response of an interconnection. The results are not intended to represent actual performance of the WECC since simplifying assumptions are used to serve the study purpose.