Future Operational Regimes of Bulk Power Generation in The Era of Global Energy Transition: Grid Codes, Challenges and Open Issues

The Energy Transition's Impact on the Accumulated Average Efficiency of Large Hydrogenerators

“…Two-dimensional histograms for the probability of occurrence of different intermittent load operations that are artificially made as worst-case scenarios, i.e., a uniform load distribution (641 elements) and a synchronous condenser dominated distribution (623 elements), respectively. The theoretical limits go beyond the changes reported in [1] and [7], to expand on the consequences of RES, which are further summarized in Table IX).…”

“…This paper's primary focus is how the energy transition affects the hydrogenerator units in terms of a more flexible operational regime. Future operating regimes imply frequent step changes in active and reactive power production, and several start-stop cycles during the day and week [4]- [7], depending on the RES's weather pattern. It also implies running the generators in synchronous condenser mode (SCM), providing intermittent power reserves, buffers, and rotating inertia.…”

“…In the future, this concentrated distribution is projected to be transformed into a more evenly distributed distribution pushing closer to the boundaries of the capability diagram. This effect is highlighted in [5]- [7], depicting changes as a result of the German "Energiwende." In addition, the capability diagram's maximum reactive limits might be extended further for extra reactive power reserves during shorter periods to provide enhanced grid voltage security [9].…”

“…The ever-increasing introduction of RES results is intensified when hydropower is connected to larger geographical regions [11]. The increasing prevalence of these kinds of operational regimes requests the need for calculation models that can accurately quantify the overall impact for hydrogenerators [7], in addition to the operational burden at the turbine-side as well [12], [13]. The calculation model weighted average efficiency (WAE) offers a viable solution to quantify the RES' impact on hydro generators [1]- [3].…”

The Energy Transition’s Impact on the Accumulated Average Efficiency of Large Hydrogenerators

“…The ever-increasing introduction of RES results is intensified when hydropower is connected to larger geographical regions [11]. The increasing prevalence of these kinds of operational regimes requests the need for calculation models that can accurately quantify the overall impact for hydrogenerators [7], in addition to the operational burden at the turbine-side as well [12], [13]. The calculation model weighted average efficiency (WAE) offers a viable solution to quantify the RES' impact on hydro generators [1]- [3].…”