Areal Power Plant: Aggregation System To Control A Multitude Of Distributed Generators During Power System Restoration – Field Test Results

Abstract:
The increasing probability, but still unlikely event of a large scale blackout, followed by power system restoration (PSR), will face new challenges due to increasing number of distributed generators (DG). In particular, the low- and medium-voltage grid with already millions of photovoltaic (PV) units will increasingly be complex to manage during periods of high solar potential. As a consequence, new support systems will be required, particulary at the distribution grid level. One approach that has been successfully tested in a virtual laboratory environment is a so called Flächenkraftwerk / areal power plant (APP) for active power control of DG at an aggregated level. In its prototype stage, the APP controls the residual load of selected grid areas. To validate the previous virtual tests, the system has been applied in a field test environment with existing PV systems located in Germany in October 2022. As a result of 16 test cases, it can be seen, that the core functionalities of APP are also applicable to the field. However, several detailed issues have been identified that need to be addressed prior to commercial application, in addition to the general requirement of a large-scale availability of bidirectional communication links to the DG for grid operators.