On the Existence of Distinct Inter-Area Electro-Mechanical Modes in North American Electric Grids
Published in 2023 Kansas Power and Energy Conference(KPEC 2023), 2023
This paper examines the extent to which distinct inter-area electromechanical modes exist in large-scale electric grids. Electric grids oscillate, and these oscillations have often been described using the linear systems concept of modes. However, electric grids are nonlinear systems, and are becoming increasingly nonlinear with the growth of inverter-based controls, deadbands, and other devices that often operate at their limits. Hence adequate linearizations may no longer exist, calling into question the extent to which distinct modes exist. For a mode to exist at an operating point its frequency, damping and shape must be independent of the disturbance used to excite it. The paper shows for one synthetic and two actual models of North American electric grids that these criteria are not always met, particularly for the largest electric grids.
Recommended citation: Overbye, Thomas J., and Sanjana Kunkolienkar. “On the Existence of Distinct Inter-Area Electro-Mechanical Modes in North American Electric Grids.” (2023).
Recommended citation: Overbye, Thomas J., and Sanjana Kunkolienkar. "On the Existence of Distinct Inter-Area Electro-Mechanical Modes in North American Electric Grids." (2023).
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