https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1BMWczn7JM
but where is buffer? How feedback works to feed demand surge information back to generator.
Power Quality! Grid frequency! Electrical Inertia!
Google AI:
Electrical inertia in a power grid refers to ==the resistance of the system to changes in frequency, provided by the stored kinetic energy in large rotating generators==. This inertia acts as a buffer against disturbances, like a sudden drop in supply, by slowing down frequency changes, which gives control systems time to react and rebalance the grid. A grid with low inertia is more vulnerable to frequency fluctuations.
How it works
- Rotating mass: Traditional power grids rely on the massive, spinning turbines of synchronous generators (coal, gas, nuclear, hydro).
- Stored energy: These spinning turbines store kinetic energy, which resists changes in speed.
- Frequency stability: In a balanced grid, generation equals consumption, and the frequency remains stable. Inertia helps maintain this stability.
- Disturbance response: If a generator fails, the power supply drops instantly. However, the inertia from the remaining spinning generators slows the grid’s frequency down gradually, rather than all at once. This provides a critical window of time for other generators to adjust their output.
Challenges with renewable energy
- Reduced inertia: Renewable sources like solar and wind are often connected to the grid through power electronics (inverters), which lack the physical rotating mass of traditional generators.
- Higher risk: This shift is leading to a decrease in overall grid inertia, making the system more susceptible to rapid frequency changes from disturbances.
- Solutions: To counter this, solutions are being developed, including “emulated inertia” from power electronic converters and procuring fast frequency reserves.