Predictive AGC Control for Power System Frequency Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Control area operators face challenges in maintaining compliance with the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) control performance standards CPS1 and CPS2, which require precise balancing of generation and load to avoid non-compliance risks and minimize generator wear and tear.

Innovation Solution

A predictive method using historical and real-time data to calculate and adjust Automatic Generation Control (AGC) signals, allowing for relaxation or tightening of generator control based on predicted CPS1 and CPS2 values, ensuring compliance with NERC standards while minimizing unnecessary generator reversals and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional AGC control methods are used to maintain frequency balance, then system frequency stability is improved, but generator wear and tear increases due to frequent reversals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem frequency stabilityVSAvoidgenerator wear and tear
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of predicted CPS1 and CPS2 values using historical and real-time data before making control decisions. This allows the AGC to anticipate compliance issues and adjust generator outputs proactively, reducing frequent reversals and associated wear while maintaining frequency stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors actual CPS1 and CPS2 performance against predicted values and adjusts AGC signals dynamically. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain frequency stability while optimizing generator control to minimize unnecessary reversals and wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If strict AGC control is applied to ensure CPS1 and CPS2 compliance, then control performance standard compliance is improved, but operational costs increase due to excessive generator adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCPS1 and CPS2 complianceVSAvoidoperational costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates predicted CPS1 and CPS2 values in advance using historical performance data and real-time measurements. This preliminary assessment allows operators to understand future compliance trajectories without implementing aggressive control actions, thereby reducing unnecessary generator adjustments and operational costs while ensuring compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying continuous strict control, the system applies AGC signals only when predicted compliance issues are identified. This partial action approach maintains compliance where needed while avoiding excessive generator adjustments that would increase operational costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If real-time AGC signal adjustment is implemented to maintain frequency balance, then system reliability is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeneration-load balancingVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of predicted CPS1 and CPS2 values using historical data and real-time measurements before making control decisions. This structured approach simplifies the control process by providing clear predictive guidance on compliance trajectories, reducing the complexity of real-time control decisions while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If frequent AGC control actions are taken to maintain precise frequency control, then frequency stability is improved, but generator lifespan decreases due to increased wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency control precisionVSAvoidgenerator lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates predicted CPS1 and CPS2 values in advance to identify potential compliance issues before they occur. This allows for proactive, targeted control actions that maintain frequency stability while avoiding frequent unnecessary adjustments, thereby extending generator lifespan by reducing wear from excessive control actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1999834B1Apparatus and method for predictive control of a power generation system
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 SIEMENS AG
  • EP1999834B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1999834B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1999834B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for controlling a power system control area according to a first and a second control performance standard, wherein operation of the control area determines area control parameter values. The method comprises (a) determining a first compliance target for the first performance standard and a second compliance target for the second performance standard (100/200); (b) determining a first performance standard statistical measure responsive to the control area parameter values from a beginning of a first compliance period to a time at which the first average is determined (108); (c) determining a second performance standard statistical measure responsive to the control area parameter values from a beginning of a second compliance period to a time at which the second average is determined; (d) determining a first area control parameter target responsive to the first performance standard statistical measure (116); (e) determining a second area control parameter target responsive to the second performance standard statistical measure (204); (f) determining a first area control parameter correction responsive to the first area control parameter target and the area control parameter values (150); (g) determining a second area control parameter correction responsive to the second area control parameter target and the area control parameter values (228) and (h) controlling the power system according to one or both of the first and the second area control parameter corrections (154/232)