Multi-objective evolutionary tuning of synchronous and non-synchronous generation control for power oscillation damping

Large interconnected power systems are becoming more sensitive to electromechanical oscillations as large-scale PV and wind plants in the hundreds MW range are more common, which requires robust solutions to ensure proper oscillation damping. Grid integration of inverter-based renewable sources may have a deteriorating effect on the power system oscillation damping. Therefore, there is a substantial need to investigate the interactions of both synchronous and inverter-based power oscillation damping controls in power systems with a large share of renewable energy sources. This paper proposes a multi-objective heuristics-based optimization method to improve the power system oscillation damping considering the simultaneous operation of traditional control systems (AVR and PSS) of inertial sources and inverter-based power oscillation damping (POD) solutions. The proposed approach addresses three objectives: transient angle stability, oscillation damping, and transient voltage response. The optimization problem was solved using the multi-objective evolutionary NSGA-II algorithm. Comprehensive tests for the test system including synchronous and inverter-based energy resources were performed to validate the presented concept. Simulation tests also include the proposed optimization approach for tuning of inverter-based power plants’ POD and voltage controllers to ensure satisfactory oscillation damping while maintaining the required quality of voltage regulation.