The objective of this Masters Thesis is to investigate the system stability implications of integration of power electronic converter interfaced generation (CIG) into conventional power systems. Due to differences between conventional generation and (CIG), the power system fault currents, voltage response, and frequency response will likely change with increased penetration of (CIG). This research has employed state of the art software tools to perform simulations on the IEEE 24-Bus Reliability Test System (RTS-24), appropriately modified to include converter interfaced generation. Time-domain dynamic simulations and fault calculations have been performed for the system. A comprehensive set of simulations has been performed on the base case, comprised entirely of conventional generation. Conventional generation was replaced by (CIG) in the model, one generating station at a time until (CIG) penetration reached one-hundred percent. The comprehensive set of simulations has been performed at each level of (CIG) penetration. The results have been compared to the base case, with a focus on voltage response, frequency response, and fault current levels of the power system.

abstract: With the increasing penetration of converter interfaced renewable generation into power systems, the structure and behavior of the power system is changing, catalyzing alterations and enhancements in modeling and simulation methods. This work puts forth a Hybrid Electromagnetic Transient-Transient Stability simulation method implemented using MATLAB and Simulink, to study power electronic based power systems. Hybrid Simulation enables detailed, accurate modeling, along with fast, efficient simulation, on account of the Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) and Transient Stability (TS) simulations respectively. A critical component of hybrid simulation is the interaction between the EMT and TS simulators, established through a well-defined interface technique, which has been explored in detail. This research focuses on the boundary conditions and interaction between the two simulation models for optimum accuracy and computational efficiency. A case study has been carried out employing the proposed hybrid simulation method. The test case used is the IEEE 9-bus system, modified to integrate it with a solar PV plant. The validation of the hybrid model with the benchmark full EMT model, along with the analysis of the accuracy and efficiency, has been performed. The steady-state and transient analysis results demonstrate that the performance of the hybrid simulation method is competent. The hybrid simulation technique suitably captures accuracy of EMT simulation and efficiency of TS simulation, therefore adequately representing the behavior of power systems with high penetration of converter interfaced generation. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Electrical Engineering 2018