The central theme of my research is on maintaining transient stability in a low-inertia power system network through inverter-connected distributed energy resources (DER) such as energy storage, solar, wind, etc. This research is increasing relevant due to the increasing displacement of conventional generators in favor of DERs in the power system network that has resulted in a decrease in the available rotational inertia which serves as an immediate response to frequency deviation due to disturbances.
My research for this period will focus on designing an online/adaptive frequency controller for the inverter – connected DERs in a low-inertia power system network. The proposed methodology will involve building an estimated model of the network using measurement data from phasor measurement units and formulating an optimization problem to determine the appropriate amount of power injection/removal at each time step to counter a power imbalance/disturbance in the network that results in frequency instability.
Advisor: Baosen Zhang – Electrical & Computer Engineering