Net Load Carrying Capability of Generating Units in Power Systems

Abstract

This paper proposes an index called net load carrying capability (NLCC) to evaluate the contribution of a generating unit to the flexibility of a power system. NLCC is defined as the amount by which the load can be increased when a generating unit is added to the system, while still maintaining the flexibility of the system. This index is based on the flexibility index termed ramping capability shortage expectation (RSE), which has been used to quantify the risk associated with system flexibility. This paper argues that NLCC is more effective than effective load carrying capability (ELCC) in quantifying the contribution of the generating unit to flexibility. This is explained using an illustrative example. A case study has been performed with a modified IEEE-RTS-96 to confirm the applicability of the NLCC index. The simulation results demonstrate the effect of operating conditions such as operating point and ramp rate on NLCC, and show which kind of unit is more helpful in terms of flexibility.