Enhancing resilience of low-inertia power systems through a novel load shedding method with synchronous condenser power control

This study explores the challenges posed by the transition to large-scale deployment of renewable energy sources, which lead to a significant reduction in the inertia of power systems. It focuses on enhancing resilience and frequency stability in response to sudden disturbances, such as generator failures or transmission line disconnections. The paper critically evaluates the limitations of conventional under-frequency load shedding (UFLS) methods and advances a novel Rapid Load Shedding (RLS) approach. The RLS method harnesses the active power response of synchronous condensers (SCs) to enable faster load shedding, thereby improving system stability and addressing operational constraints from a reliability perspective. The study demonstrates the feasibility of implementing new control systems using the proposed structure of a special protection scheme. It also examines the economic benefits of enhancing the allowable transfer capacity in the Baltic Power System (BPS) through this method. The findings highlight how the RLS approach can enable higher transfer capacities whilst maintaining system resilience. Additionally, the results indicate that the RLS method can significantly mitigate frequency deviations and enhance system stability, offering a promising solution for low-inertia power systems with high levels of renewable energy integration.