Modeling Renewable Energy/Battery Energy Storage System

Hybrid Power Plants

WECC REMWG

August 27, 2020

 Modeling Renewable Energy and BESS Hybrid Power Plants

Table of Contents
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3

2 Current Modeling Guideline by MVS........................................................................................ 4

2.1 Power Flow Representation................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Dynamic Representation ....................................................................................................... 6

3 Power Flow Modeling Capability Enhancement ........................................................................ 6

3.1 Summary of Current Reactive Power Control Modeling Capability ........................................ 7

3.2 Modification to existing Generator MVAr Limit specification................................................. 8

3.2.1 Generator Q Limit Model Specification........................................................................... 9

3.3 Power Plant Controller (PPC) .............................................................................................. 10

3.3.1 New object specification for the software tool ............................................................... 11

3.3.2 Network Topology Discussion for Regulated Bus and Arriving Branches.......................... 14

3.3.3 Sharing of Device MVAr between generators in the same PPC ...................................... 15

3.3.4 Treatment of SVD or Switched Shunt Models ............................................................... 15

3.3.5 Treatment of Transformer Tap ratios will not be part of the PPC ................................... 15

3.3.6 Example Power Plant Control with two generators acting together ............................... 16

3.3.7 Alternate Example with 2 Independent Power Plant Controller..................................... 17

3.3.8 Software Implementation of QV characteristic in the power flow algorithms ................. 18

4 Dynamic Modeling Capability Enhancement ........................................................................... 19

4.1.1 REEC and REPC Model Specification ........................................................................... 19

5 References ................................................................................................................................ 20

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 Modeling Renewable Energy and BESS Hybrid Power Plants

1 Introduction
Hybrid power plants are becoming increasingly popular due to cost savings, flexibility, and higher
energy production by sharing land, infrastructure, and maintenance services. Hybrid power plants, or
hybrid resources, are defined as:

A generating resource that is [composed] of multiple generation technologies that are

controlled by a single entity and operated as a single resource behind a single point of
interconnection (POI). [1]
There are many types of hybrid power plants, some including combined heat and power with solar
photovoltaic (PV) and possibly energy storage; however, the predominant type of hybrid power plant
seen across WECC is the combination of renewable energy (solar PV or wind) and battery energy
storage system (BESS) technologies. This white paper focuses on modeling hybrid power plants that
use renewable energy and BESS. However, the modeling principle and approach apply to other types
of hybrid power plants as well.

Hybrid plants can be classified as either of the following:

• AC-Coupled Hybrid Plants: An AC-coupled hybrid power plant couples each form of
generation after it has been converted through a power electronics interface from DC to AC. For
example, a BESS system will be coupled with a wind or solar PV facility on the AC side of the
inverters’ interfaces, often at the medium voltage bus on the low side of the main power
transformer for the plant. The conversion from DC to AC occurs at each solar inverter or wind
turbine as with other inverter-based generating resources. Error! Reference source not found.
shows a simple illustration of an AC-coupled hybrid power plant in which a BESS is coupled
with a solar PV or wind power plant on the AC side.

Figure 1: Illustration of AC-Coupled Hybrid Plant

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 Modeling Renewable Energy and BESS Hybrid Power Plants

• DC-Coupled Hybrid Plants: A DC-coupled hybrid power plant couples both sources on the DC
side of each inverter before its conversion to AC. Each individual DC-AC inverter has a BESS
and generating resource coupled at the DC bus, which is then simultaneously converted to ac
for the combined BESS and generating component. Figure 2 shows a simple illustration of a DC-
coupled hybrid power plant, where the energy storage component is coupled to each individual
inverter on the DC side.

Figure 2: Illustration of DC-Coupled Hybrid Plant

This paper was developed in coordination with NERC Inverter-Based Resource Performance Task
Force (IRPTF). While the NERC guideline being developed by IRPTF covers more broadly the
modeling, studying, and performance of both stand-alone BESS and hybrid power plants, this paper
goes into depth on modeling the hybrid power plant.

2 Current Modeling Guideline by MVS

The Solar PV Power Plant Modeling and Validation Guideline by the Model Validation Subcommittee
includes discussion on the modeling of hybrid solar PV and battery plants. The recommendation is
summarized below.

2.1 Power Flow Representation

Each hybrid solar PV and BESS power plant with aggregated capacity ≥ 20 MVA and connected to 60
kV and above is modeled explicitly in the power flow model. The power flow representation includes:

• An explicit representation of the interconnection transmission line, if one exists.

• An explicit representation of all substation transformers.
• An equivalent representation of the collector systems.

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 Modeling Renewable Energy and BESS Hybrid Power Plants

• An equivalent representation of inverter pad-mounted transformers with a scaled MVA rating

except when the pad-mounted transformers are integrated with the inverters.
• One or multiple equivalent representation of generators scaled to match the total capacity of the
plant.
• An explicit representation of all plant level reactive compensation devices either as shunts
(fixed or switchable) or as generators (FACTs devices), if applicable.
For modeling guidelines regarding the substation transformers, collector systems, inverter pad-
mounted transformers, and reactive devices, please refer to Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant Modeling and
Validation Guideline. This paper focuses on the equivalent generator representation.

If the solar PV and battery storage each has its own set of inverters, i.e. , AC-coupled (Error! Reference
source not found.), the solar PV and battery storage should both be modeled explicitly by separate
equivalent generators, equivalent pad-mounted transformers, and equivalent collectors. The turbine
type of the solar PV generator is set to 31, 32, or 33. 1 The turbine type of the battery generator is set to
42. The reactive capability requirement applies to the entirety of the solar PV and battery storage
generators. The solar PV and battery storage individually may not have capability to meet the
requirement alone.

If the solar PV and battery storage are DC-coupled (Figure 2), one equivalent generator will represent
the inverters for both solar PV and battery storage. The turbine type of the generator is set to 33 if the
storage does not charge from the grid and 42 if the storage charges from the grid. A negative Pmin of
the equivalent generator represents the maximum charging power if the battery storage charges from
the grid.
Table 1: Equivalent Generator Representation in Power Flow

AC-coupled hybrid DC-coupled hybrid

Separate generators for solar and BESS One generator

BESS generator:
If BESS could charge from the grid, pmin < 0, turbine
turbine type = 42,
type=42
pmin < 0

Solar generator: If BESS never charges from the grid, pmin = 0, turbine
turbine type = 31, 32 or 33 type = 33

1Turbine type 32 for photovoltaic (fixed), 33 for photovoltaic (tracking), 31 for photovoltaic (mixed or unknown
solar tracking).

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 Modeling Renewable Energy and BESS Hybrid Power Plants

2.2 Dynamic Representation

If the solar PV and battery storage are AC-coupled (Error! Reference source not found.), the solar PV
and battery storage are modeled explicitly by separate equivalent generators, equivalent pad -mounted
transformers, and equivalent collector systems in the power flow. Each generator has its set of regc and
reec models. It is recommended that repc_b is used as the master plant controller to coordinate
electrical controls between the solar PV and battery storage.

If the solar PV and battery storage are DC-coupled (Figure 2), one equivalent generator represents the
inverters for both solar PV and battery storage. One set of regc, reec, and repc models is needed for the
equivalent generator. The electrical control model suitable for the battery storage could always be used
for this type of inverters. In case the battery does not charge from the grid, one may choose to use the
electrical control model suitable for the solar PV instead of battery storage to represent the inverters
with DC-coupled solar PV and battery storage.
Table 2: Equivalent Generator Representation in Dynamic Model

AC-coupled hybrid DC-coupled hybrid

regc for each generator in the model

If charging from the grid,

reec_c or reec_d for BESS
reec_c or reec_d
reec_a or reec_d for solar

If not charging from grid

reec_c or reec_d for BESS
reec_a or reec_c or reec_d
reec_a or reec_d for solar

repc_b or repc_c repc_*

Detailed discussion on regc, reec and repc models can be found in Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant
Modeling and Validation Guideline. The same modeling principle applies to other type of hybrid
power plant as well.

3 Power Flow Modeling Capability Enhancement

Typically, the AC-coupled hybrid plant has a contractual output limit (plant Pmax) that is lower than
the sum of the installed solar PV capacity and BESS capacity. The power plant controller manages both
the active power output between the solar PV and the BESS and the reactive power output to maintain
the voltage at the high side of the substation transformer within a specified range. The plant could
supplement reactive power capability between the solar PV inverter and BESS inverters. For example,

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 Modeling Renewable Energy and BESS Hybrid Power Plants

the BESS may be operated at full dispatching power without any reactive power capability remaining
and the solar PV inverters are relied upon to meet the reactive power capability need. A power plant
controller model is needed in the power flow to reflect such controls. The power plant controller model
shall

1) Monitor outputs from individual generators represented in the power flow. If the individual
outputs cause the plant output outside the plant contractual operating range, produce a
warning message.
2) Control reactive power outputs for the individual generators and other controllable var devices
in the plant in accordance with the hybrid plant volt/var control mode.

The active power monitor is straight-forward. A plant MW point of measurement (MW-POM) is

defined. After the power flow solution is reached, MW injection to the MW-POM is calculated and
compared to the defined plant maximum and minimum.
The reactive power control needs to reflect how the plant is operated. In the following sections, first the
available modeling capability is summarized. Then recommendation is made to enhance the modeling
capability.

3.1 Summary of Current Reactive Power Control Modeling Capability

Currently all the power flow software platforms have multiple options for generator reactive power
control:
• Voltage regulation - voltage at the regulated bus is held constant with reactive output within
the generator MVAr limits Qmin and Qmax.
• Constant Q – generator reactive output is held constant at the specified value.
• Constant Power Factor – generator reactive output is held constant at the value specified by the
power factor and active power output.

For voltage regulation, the Qmin and Qmax could be

• specified constants, or
• calculated from the active power output and reactive capability look up table (Q-table), or
• calculated from the active power output and the specified power factor range.

The regulated bus may be the generator terminal or a remote bus. In addition, a line drop
compensation may be added to the generator terminal bus, i.e. reactive output is dispatched to regulate
𝑉𝑡 − 𝐼𝑡 × (𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 + 𝑗𝑋𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 ) to a voltage schedule.

Multiple generators can contribute to the control of voltage at a single bus. Each generator in the group
regulating the same bus voltage is assigned a reactive power regulation factor that specifies the
proportion of the total reactive power required from the group that is to be delivered by the generator.

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 Modeling Renewable Energy and BESS Hybrid Power Plants

Besides generators, there are volt/var controls through switchable static var devices and tap changers of
transformers. The regulated buses and the regulated voltage schedules among all controllable devices
need to setup carefully in the power flow model to achieve good quality solution. It has been common
to observe reactive control hunting in the power flow solution and will be aggravated with increased
number of hybrid plants.

Power World has implemented voltage droop control with deadband in the power flow to emulate
typical renewable plant volt/var control. A group of generators regulating the same remote bus voltage
are assigned to a voltage droop control. Within a specified deadband of the regulated bus voltage, the
generators provides zero MVArs (or a specified amount of MVArs). Once the voltage is outside the
deadband, a negative slope of Q vs. voltage is followed by all the generators in the group. This
eliminates hunting among the generators and is a more realistic presentation of the plant. Details of
implementing voltage droop control with deadband is published by Power World at
https://www.powerworld.com/files/VoltageDroopControl_Software_Implementation.pdf .

3.2 Modification to existing Generator MVAr Limit specification

First, not part of PPC model itself, it is recommended to add one more generator reactive capability
calculation mode:

• calculated from the active power output and the MVA rating, i.e.

Qmax_c = min (Qmax_i, √𝑀𝑉𝐴2 − 𝑃𝐺𝐸𝑁2)

Qmin_c = max (Qmin_i, −√𝑀𝑉𝐴2 − 𝑃𝐺𝐸𝑁 2)

Where Qmax_i and Qmin_i are reactive power limits at the lowest active power output. See
illustration below.

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 Modeling Renewable Energy and BESS Hybrid Power Plants

Qmin_i Qmax_i

3.2.1 Generator Q Limit Model Specification

Following is the software specification to implement this Q limit calculation. Changes to the current
model is highlighted in red.

• With generator cont_mode = 0, voltage at regulated bus is held constant within Q limits of
generator specified by (Qmin, Qmax) or Q table or MVA calculation.
• The qtab field in the generator table selects the Q limits calculation
- qtab = 0: use Qmin and Qmax
- qtab = non-zero positive value: use the qtable
- qtab = -1: use MVA calculation
• In MVA calculation mode, the three quantities Qmax_i, Qmin_i and MVA are entered using the
existing fields of qmax, qmin and mva_base in the generator table.
• In MVA calculation mode, qmx and qmn are calculated as

qmx = min (qmax, √𝑚𝑣𝑎_𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 2 − 𝑝𝑔𝑒𝑛 2)

qmn = max (qmin, −√𝑚𝑣𝑎_𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 2 − 𝑝𝑔𝑒𝑛2)

if pgen > mva_base, qmx = qmn = 0

Building upon the existing modeling capability and the voltage droop control developed by Power
World, the REMTF recommends a broader power plant controller being implemented across all
software platforms.

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 Modeling Renewable Energy and BESS Hybrid Power Plants

3.3 Power Plant Controller (PPC)

Consider as an example a power system as depicted in the following figure.

Interconnection Equivalent Equivalent

Substation
Transmission Collector Pad-mounted
Transformer
Line System Transformer
1 2 3 4 5
Equivalent
PV Generator for
Solar PV
T1 SVD
Point of
Interconnection SD

6 7 8 Equivalent
Generator for
BT Battery
T2

230kV 34.5kV 690V

The assumption is that the generator at PV and BT are configured to regulate the bus voltage at Bus 2 in
this example. The traditional “point of interconnection” is at Bus #1. The Power Plant Controller (PPC)
is going to specify the characteristics of how the devices regulate the voltage at bus 2. The branches that
will be used to measure the MW and MVAr that are controlled by the Plant Controller will be the
transformers from buses 3 – 2 and 6 – 2. The MW and MVAr will be measured as those arriving at the
regulated bus at bus 2. These branches will be called the Arriving Branches.
The following data are specified to define a PPC model:

• A new object which has a Name field will define the PPC. The PPC will also define a QV
characteristic curve.
• Individual devices such as generators, SVDs, and other controllable reactive devices will be
configured so that they can be assigned to the Power Plant Controller (PPC)
• Transformers that control tap will not be part of the PPC (explained later in this document)
• The PPC will have a Regulated Bus which will be obtained described below.
• Software will solve to an operating point such that the MVAr being injected at the Regulated Bus
from the devices in the PPC will follow a QV characteristic with a deadband .
• Software will also ensure that MVAr limits of individual devices are enforced such as the
generator MVArMax and MVArMin limits.
• Software also have a Limit Bus and provide a mechanism to specify real MW power limits.
• Software will provide a mechanism to indicate if the MW being injected at the Limit Bus from
the devices in the PPC are exceeding these MW power limits.

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3.3.1 New object specification for the software tool

The object will have input parameters that are used to define a QV characteristic of PPC MVAr versus
per unit voltage at the Regulated Bus. The characteristic will look as follows.

The new object will have the following input parameters

Parameter Description
Name String names of the Power Plant Controller
Enabled This value is either set to YES or NO. If set to YES, then the power flow solution will
attempt to solve to meet the QV characteristic. If set to NO, then the devices that are
assigned to this PPC will default back to their original behavior of controlling a
regulated bus to a voltage.
This field does not affect the MW monitoring function of the PPC. MW monitoring
function is always on.
RegBus If specified this will be the Regulated Bus of the Power Plant Controller. If not
specified, then the software will automatically determine a Regulated Bus from the
devices that belong to the PPC. For instance, generators already have a regulated
bus so this will be obtained from those. The software will automatically build
groups of devices that regulated the same Regulated Bus and enforce a voltage droop
equation with those groups.
Qmax Maximum reactive power in MVAr at the Regulated Bus being contributed by the
devices in the Power Plant Controller
Qmin Minimum reactive power in MVAr at the Regulated Bus being contributed by the
devices in the Power Plant Controller
Qdb Reactive power in MVAr at the Regulated Bus when the voltage is between Vdblow
and Vdbhigh
Vlow Per unit voltage at the Regulated Bus at QmaxUsed (defined below)
Vdblow Low end of the per unit voltage range at the Regulated Bus when operating at Qdb
Vdbhigh High end of the per unit voltage range at the Regulated Bus when operating at Qdb

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Vhigh Per unit voltage at the Regulated Bus at QminUsed (defined below)
VDeviation This value is either set to YES or NO. This determines how the input parameters for
voltage Vlow, Vdblow, Vdbhigh, and Vhigh are treated.
• NO : the parameters are absolute voltage in per unit value.
• YES: the parameters are a deviation away from the voltage setpoint for the
individual devices that are in this Power Plant Controller.
By using VDeviation = YES, the user can modify the voltage setpoint as they have
in the past and the QV curve will simply shift in response to this.
QAuto This will be a discrete input that has 3 choices.
• User: means to use the Qmax and Qmin specified above, i.e. QmaxUsed =
Qmax, QminUsed = Qmin For software using an integer flag, denote this using
a value of 0.
• Sum: calculate QmaxUsed and QminUsed by taking a summation of the
individual device max and min reactive power. For software using an integer
flag, denote this using a value of 1. When using the Sum option then the
strict limit on QmaxUsed and QminUsed for this curve will not be enforced by
the Power Plant Controller and the sloped line between the Vdblow and
Vlow will extend upward past Vlow (and similar on the high side). This is
done because we assume in this mode that the enforcement of MVAr limits
is handled by the individual devices instead.
• PF: calculate the QmaxUsed and QminUsed taking a summation of the
individual device present MW output and then calculating a QmaxUsed and
QminUsed by assuming a constant power. Thus QmaxUsed =
|∑ 𝑃𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑀𝑊|(1−PF2)
and QminUsed = –QmaxUsed. For software using an
PF2
integer flag, denote this using a value of2.
PF The power factor used in the QmaxUsed equation when QAuto = PF
LimitBus MW Point of Limitation: bus where the plant MW injection limit is applied. If this is
left unspecified, then the software will default back to use the Regulated Bus instead.
Pmax Maximum real power in MW for the plant.
Pmin Minimum real power in MW for the plant.

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Values reported by the software for each PPC will, at a minimum, be the following. The percent fields
can be used to alert the user when a MW value is exceeded.

Calculated Value Description

MW Total MW from the PPC. This is equal to MWArriving + MWGenRegBus
MWDevice Summation of the MW injection for all devices in the PPC
MWArriving Summation of the MW arriving at the MW point of limitation on branches
that connect the devices in the PPC and have only one terminal in the MW
point of limitation Group.
MWGenRegBus Summation of the devices MW injection for devices in the PPC which are
directly connected to the Regulated Bus
MWPercent = 100(MW – Pmin)/(Pmax – Pmin)
MWDevicePercent = 100(MWDevice – Pmin)/(Pmax – Pmin)
Mvar Total MVAr from the PPC. This is equal to MvarArriving +
MvarGenRegBus
MvarDevice Summation of the MVAr injection for all devices in the PPC
MvarArriving Summation of the MVAr arriving at the Regulated Bus Group on branches
that connect the devices in the PPC and have only one terminal in the
Regulated Bus Group.
MvarGenRegBus Summation of the devices MVAr injection for devices in the PPC which are
directly connected to the Regulated Bus
MvarPercent = 100(Mvar – QminUsed)/( QmaxUsed – QminUsed)
MvarDevicePercent = 100(MvarDevice – QminUsed)/( QmaxUsed – QminUsed)
RegBusNumUsed This field will show the number of the bus actually used as the Regulated
Bus in the power flow solution

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3.3.2 Network Topology Discussion for Regulated Bus and Arriving Branches
Some network topologies will have groups of generators in the same PPC which do not share the exact
same specification of a regulated bus. This may occur when models include very low impedance
branches or when modeling full-topologies such as in an EMS system model. For example, the model
may have a ring bus explicitly modeled such that the topology instead looks like the following.

In the example situation, the BT generator is configured to regulate bus 23 and the PV is configured to
regulate Bus 29. In addition, there is a third generator “A” at Bus 27, which regulates its own terminal
bus. All the AC branches within the yellow highlighted region are very low impedance branches (as
defined by the impedance threshold that all software tools use for defining that), or in full-topology
models they may represent switching devices such as disconnects or circuit breakers. In this situation,
the software needs to make accommodations so that the yellow highlighted region is treated as a single
regulated point. In the discussion below the “Regulated Bus” is this entire group of buses connected by
low impedance branches. For this discussion you could call this the “Regulated Bus Group.”

The software will then also automatically calculate which AC transmission branches connect the
devices in the PPC to a bus inside the “Regulated Bus Group.” In this example, it will be the
transformers from buses 3 to 40 and 6 to 41. There are no topologies for which it will make sense for the
Arriving Branches used in the QV characteristic to not be branches that connect to one of the buses in
this Regulated Bus Group. For numerical reasons in the power flow solution algorithms it is important to
choose branches that are not very low impedance branches as the Arriving Branches (for example
choosing the branchs from 40 – 20 and 41 – 24 in this example may appear fine, but this would cause
numerical problems). The software will never choose a very low impedance branch because by
definition that branch would be inside the Regulated Bus Group. It is recommended that the software
look for invalid topologies that would make the solution impossible as part of solution validation.

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If the Limit Bus is set differently than the Regulated Bus, then the software will similarly automatically
determine a list of buses in a “Limit Bus Group,” which are connected to the Limit Bus by very low
impedance branches. Again, the software will automatically determine a list of AC transmission
branches that connect the devices in the PCC to a bus inside the Limit Bus Group. Also, the software
will internally calculate a list of Arriving MW Branches.

3.3.3 Sharing of Device MVAr between generators in the same PPC

The sharing of MVArs between devices in the same PPC will be handled in the same way that existing
remote voltage regulation shares MVArs across generators in power flow tools. This can be done using
a Remote Regulation Factor specified with a generator or a bus. Or it can be done by ensuring that all
devices are within the same relative point within their minimum to maximum MVAr range. The
proposal does not change how different software tools handle the MVAr sharing. The user shall use the
existing software capability to reflect how the PPC allocate MVAr target among the generators.

3.3.4 Treatment of SVD or Switched Shunt Models

If a shunt is assigned to the PPC, the shunt will be switched to meet the PPC control target.
Implementation of switched shunt control varies among different software tools. This proposal does
not change the current implementation with the expectation that the shunt control should align with
and assist the PPC volt/var control.

3.3.5 Treatment of Transformer Tap ratios will not be part of the PPC
Consider a transformer tap ratio control enabled inside the network between the regulated bus and the
devices in the PPC. Changing a transformer tap will not impact the final MVAr flow arriving at the
Regulated Bus because the QV characteristic curve discussed above will be met regardless. The only
thing that the transformer tap could do is control the per unit voltage in the low voltage system. In the
earlier example, the transformer T1 and T2 could be configured to regulate the voltage at buses 5 and 8,
but they cannot regulate any voltage at the Regulated Bus or the point of interconnection because the
QV characteristic will be met regardless. Because of this, the transformer does not need to be part of the
PPC object and can simply be configured for normal voltage control.

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3.3.6 Example Power Plant Control with two generators acting together
Below is an example. The plant consists of 100 MW solar PV and 100 MW batteries. The total delivery
at point of interconnection (Bus 1) is limited to 100 MW. The reactive power capability is measured at
the high side of the substation transformer (Bus 2).

Figure 3: An example of AC coupled solar PV and battery hybrid plant

Table 3: Association of Power Plant with Devices

PPC Devices Device Type

Bus 5 "PV" Generator
Solar-BESS Bus 8 "BT" Generator
Bus 3 "SD" SVD
Table 4: Plant MW and MVAr Setup
Name Solar-BESS
Enabled YES
Qmax 34
Qmin -34
Qdb 0
Vlow 0.950
Vdblow 0.995
Vdbhigh 1.005
Vhigh 1.050
VDeviation NO
QAuto User
PF 0.95
MWPOL Bus 1
Pmax 100
Pmin -100
The Regulated Bus will be bus 2 and that is inherited by the Power Plant Controller from the fact that the
generators and SVD are all configured to regulate bus 2. The Arriving Branches used in the solution
algorithm will be the MVAr measured at bus 2 on the transformer from 3 to 2 and 6 to 2 and these

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arriving branches will be automatically determined by the software tool. The MWarriving calculated
from the solution is the MW flow at bus 1 from 2 to 1.

3.3.7 Alternate Example with 2 Independent Power Plant Controller

Another example is there are two separate Power Plant Controllers for two separate wind farms. For
example a new wind farm may be added connecting to the same substation as an old wind farm
installed 15 years ago. This is depicted in Figure 4.

Figure 4: An example of AC coupled solar PV and battery hybrid plant

Table 5: Association of Power Plant with Devices

Devices PPC
Bus 5 "O" Old Farm
Bus 8 "N" New Farm
Table 6: Plant MW and MVAr Setup
Name Old Farm New Farm
Enabled YES YES
Qmax 20 14
Qmin -20 -14
Qdb 0 0
Vlow 0.950 0.950
Vdblow 0.970 0.990
Vdbhigh 1.030 1.010
Vhigh 1.050 1.050
VDeviation NO NO
QAuto User User
PF 0.95 0.95
MWPOL Bus 2 Bus 2
Pmax 60 40
Pmin 0 0
The Regulated Bus for both wind generators is configured to be bus 2 and that is inherited by each
Power Plant Controller. The Arriving Branch for the old wind farm is transformer from 3 to 2 and for the
new wind farm is the transformer from 6 to 2. By appropriately setting the voltage values for the QV

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 Modeling Renewable Energy and BESS Hybrid Power Plants

characteristic for each PPC you can bias the control so that the new wind farm provide MVAr before
the old wind farm. This is depicted in the image QV curves above. Starting below 0.99 per unit voltage
the new wind farm MVAr will begin to pick up and the old wind farm will start at 0.97.

3.3.8 Software Implementation of QV characteristic in the power flow algorithms

The actual implementation of this QV characteristic inside traditional power flow solution algorithms
can become difficult because the deadband introduces discontinuous derivatives. This is beyond the
scope of this specification, but it is understood tha,t around these corner points, approximations will be
made to smooth the transition between the sloped droop portion of the QV characteristic and the flat
portions.

In addition to this, if the slope of the QV characteristic becomes too large, it also can create numerical
problems for the solutions algorithms. For example, if Vdblow = 0.9991 and Vlow = 0.9990, then the
slope of the QV characteristic becomes very large, such that the PPC would transition from Qdb all the
way to maximum MVAr output over a voltage change of 0.0001 per unit. These are unrealistic input
parameters, but the software should prevent these user input mistakes.
Different software may have different techniques handling the numerical challenges. As an example,
detailed implementation in PowerWorld can be found in reference [3].

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4 Dynamic Modeling Capability Enhancement

The control coordination among different generators in an AC-coupled hybrid plant is achieved
through REPC_B model. The frequency control is also implemented and only exists in the REPC model.
For a hybrid plant, it is common that different fuel type generators have different frequency responses.
All generators respond to high frequency by reducing active output. But only the battery has the
operating headroom to increase active output under low frequency. With the current REPC_B model
structure, this requires different weighting factors for the generators to be set up for different
disturbances being studied. To resolve the issue, it is recommended to use the base load flag in the
power flow model to block the upward frequency in the electrical control (reec). The base load flag is
set to one of the following values in the power flow model:

0 – not blocked; pgen could be increased or reduced in response to frequency changes

1 – blocked from upward response; pgen could only be reduced

2 – blocked; pgen does not change in response to frequency changes

4.1.1 REEC and REPC Model Specification

During initialization of reec and repc models, pmax is set to the initial value of pgen if base load flag is
1 or 2 and pmin is set to the initial value of pgen if base flag is 2. See Table 7 below for implementation
in different software platforms. This feature will be implemented in the previously approved REEC_A,
REEC_C and REPC_A models as well as the upcoming REEC_D and REPC_C model and future REEC
models as appropriate. It will not be implemented in the REPC_B model. For hybrid plants that use a
common PPC to control multiple generators, REEC should be used in conjunction with REPC_B to
block or enable frequency response at the generator level. Furthermore, in the case of REPC_B, since
the Pcommand of the main controller always initializes to zero (see model specification and software user
manuals), the Pmax/Pmin and on the main controller is a limit on the total change in power and, so, if
either Pmax or Pmin are set to zero, this will prevent REPC_B from increasing or decreasing the plant
power. Thus, care should be taken in setting these values for REPC_B since they do not represent the
absolute values of maximum and minimum plant power. Of course, all this is irrelevant if the plant has
no frequency response capability, which is true of most plants built before 2018, and for which the
frqflag parameter is set to 0.
Table 7: Blocking Frequency Response in Different Software Platforms

PSLF PowerWorld PSS/E TSAT Interpretation in Code

Name of Generator Baseload Governor Baseload Baseload In the initialization of the
Field in Software Tool
Flag Response Flag Flag REEC model the following
Limits changes are made to the
control limits

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Leave the traditional 0 Normal 0 0 Do nothing

MW response
Do not allow 1 Down Only 1 1 [reec_*, repc_a, repc_c]:
generator to go up, Pmax = PgenInitial
but do allow down
Do not allow 2 Fixed 2 2 [reec_*, repc_a, repc_c]:
generator
Pmax = Pmin = PgenInitial
to go up or down

This specification requests that models REEC_A, REEC_C, and REPC_A be modified to follow the baseload flag
associated with the generator record. This means that model behavior will be changed for renewable plants that
have the baseload flag configured to block real power response and which have the real-power frequency response
configured in the REPC_A model (Freq_Flag = 1). It is recognized that a simulation run in previous software
versions may give different results after this change is made. This is considered more accurate by WECC because
the base load flag is required to reflect generator frequency response per WECC base case preparation manual.
Also, this added ability is important to the user community and it will also be less confusing if all REEC_*
models use the baseload flag in the same manner.

5 References
[1] NERC, Reliability Guideline of performance, modeling and simulations of BPS-connected battery energy
storage system and hybrid power plants, to be published

[2] WECC, Solar PV Power Plant Modeling and Validation Guideline,

https://www.wecc.org/Reliability/Solar%20PV%20Plant%20Modeling%20and%20Validation%20Guidli
ne.pdf

[3] PowerWorld Corporation, Detailed Documentation of Software Implementation of Voltage Droop with
Deadband in Power Flow Calculation,

https://www.powerworld.com/files/VoltageDroopControl_Software_Implementation.pdf

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WECC receives data used in its analyses from a wide variety of sources. WECC strives to source its data from reliable
entities and undertakes reasonable efforts to validate the accuracy of the data used. WECC believes the data contained herein
and used in its analyses is accurate and reliable. However, WECC disclaims any and all representations, guarantees,
warranties, and liability for the information contained herein and any use thereof. Persons who use and rely on the
information contained herein do so at their own risk.

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