Data-driven Wide-area System Strength Monitoring under Weak Grid Conditions

Overview

Data-driven Wide-area System Strength Monitoring under Weak Grid Conditions. This project aims to investigate and evolve the system strength assessment framework to suit weak electricity grids with substantial renewable sources. It expects to develop a digitalized approach where comprehensive metric indices are estimated by an innovative data-driven system to realize real-time wide-area system strength assessment under weak grid conditions. Advanced methods will also be developed to bridge the gap between data science and energy system applications. The new suite of next-gen metrics and data-driven techniques will offer the world’s most innovative renewable energy products with desired grid support capability and low system strength operability, that would smooth the transition towards low-carbon electricity future.

National Interest Significance

As a strategic plan to mitigate climate threat, the Australian electricity grid undergoes a tremendous transition towards a system dominated by renewable energy. In this transition, weak system strength has been identified as a significant and urgent issue that could cause catastrophic cascading failure or rolling blackout in the Australian grid. Addressing the weak grid issue requires the evolvement of system strength assessment framework. The development of data-driven techniques in this project serves as an immediate solution committing to elevate the low system strength operability of the Australian grid in the short run. The outcome of the applied research will help appeal secure renewable energy integration, improve the reliability of electricity supply, provide low-cost energy to the public, and create more environmental values in the path towards low-carbon future.