An Online Estimation Method for the Equivalent Inertia Time Constant of Power Equipment Based on Node Power Flow Equations

As renewable energy integration scales up, power systems increasingly depend on sources interfaced through power electronic converters, which lack rotating mass and substantially diminish system inertia. This reduction in inertia, coupled with the complex and diverse control strategies governing power electronics, presents significant challenges in accurately assessing the equivalent inertia levels within modern power systems. This paper introduces an online method for estimating the inertia time constant of power nodes, grounded in the node power flow equation, to address these challenges. The approach begins by deriving the rotor motion equation for synchronous generators and defining the inertia time constant of power nodes through an analysis of the power flow equations. Real-time frequency and voltage phasor data are collected from system nodes using phasor measurement units. The frequency state of the power equipment is then characterized using a divider formula, and the equivalent reactance between the power equipment and the node is further derived through the node power flow equation. This enables the real-time estimation of the equivalent inertia time constant for power nodes within the system. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through simulations on the WSCC9 system, confirming its applicability for real-time system analysis.