Electrical Power and Energy Systems 67 (2015) 501–509

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Electrical Power and Energy Systems

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ijepes

Evaluation of frequency control application for distributed generation

in Turkey
Levent Kılıç a,⇑, Aysßen Basa Arsoy b
a _
Sßisßecam Group, Energy Efficiency Management, Is Kuleleri Kule 2, 34330 4.Levent, Istanbul, Turkey
b _
Kocaeli University, Department of Electrical Engineering, 41380 Umuttepe, Istanbul, Turkey

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Ancillary services are essential for the safe, secure and reliable operation of power systems. They pres-
Received 18 July 2013 ently include both mandatory and competitive services such as voltage control, frequency control and
Received in revised form 6 December 2014 system restart. Since these services were and are still mostly provided by centralized power plants, con-
Accepted 9 December 2014
trols of voltage and frequency in the Turkish power system are also performed by power plants with
Available online 26 December 2014
installed capacity of 50 MW and greater. However, the number of private sector power plants connected
to the national grid at medium voltage has been increasing continuously. The positive impact and the
Keywords:
contribution of such plants should be realized better by further actions.
Frequency control
Power plants
In this paper, frequency control ability in natural gas fired private power plants connected to medium
Distributed generation voltage level is studied. Data taken from a real power plant operation is used for this study. With the
Gas engine growth of such distributed generation units (DGU) on distribution grid and with the deregulation of
Gas turbine the electricity sector, the frequency control may become an applicable scenario for DGU.
Ó 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Introduction
Today’s power systems are undergoing major changes as the
penetration of generating units at medium voltage grids has been
increasing continuously [1,2]. Such generation units, also called
distributed generation, can have a significant impact on some
parameters such as voltage profile, power quality, reliability, and
frequency [3,4]. This impact cannot be neglected and should be
taken into consideration in system operation [5]. Although some
studies are available on frequency response of renewable generat-
ing units [6–8], this paper focuses on frequency control of gas
engine type power plants because the major portion of renewable
units in Turkey are connected directly to the high voltage transmis-
sion grid, not to the distribution grid.
Combined heat and power (CHP) plants utilizing gas engine or
gas turbine are mostly preferred in industrial applications for
higher energy efficiency. These type of plants rated from 5 MW
to 50 MW can be connected to the distribution grid easily. The
number of CHP plants owned and operated by private sector pro-
ducers has been increasing. The requirements and rules set by
the Turkish Grid Regulating Authority have to be satisfied by the
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: lkilic@sisecam.com (L. Kılıç), aba@kocaeli.edu.tr (A.B. Arsoy).
private plants for effective grid operation [9–11]. For reliability
purpose, reserves have to be taken into consideration as well.
Although frequency control is a new subject for Turkey, it has
been carried out successfully in practice and is being continued
as well. The chronological development of the frequency control
in Turkey is given in Table 1. As can be seen from the table, the con-
nection of the Turkish transmission system into the Union for the
Coordination of Transmission of Electricity (UCTE/ENTSO-E) [12]
was initiated in September 2010. Statistical data given in Table 2
shows that the number of outages in the selected power plant
which is located at the south side of Turkey, is reduced to zero with
the UCTE connection.
Frequency control has been defined in the Turkish power sys-
tem as a mandatory, remunerable ancillary service that is pro-
vided by generating units and managed by the system operator
[13]. Many studies exist on frequency control for mostly conven-
tional generators having stable characteristics. Not only fre-
quency control [14] but also other issues such as protection
[15], stability and design have been covered [16–22]. But, there
is not enough contribution in the literature on frequency control
associated with private sector power plants [14]. In the available
literature, the focus is generally given to test procedures. If DG
units are operated with a control mechanism, additional benefits
can be achieved, especially with high penetrated units in distri-
bution grid.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2014.12.040
0142-0615/Ó 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
502 L. Kılıç, A.B. Arsoy / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 67 (2015) 501–509

Table 1
Official gazette/regulatory authority.

Date Official gazette/regulatory Explanation

authority
27.12.2008 27,093 Electricity Market Ancillary Service Regulation was published
01.07.2009 Primary frequency control was initiated
22.03.2010 Synchronous testing with ENTSO-e and dead band was set as 0 (zero)
13.05.2010 27,580 Some modifications on ancillary service
19.08.2010 27,677 Some modifications on ancillary service
18.09.2010 UCTE connection was initiated. Reserve capacity of country was decreased to 300 MW (from 700 MW, almost
halved)
15.10.2010 27,730 Some modifications on ancillary service
10.02.2011 27,842 Penalties seriously increased
15.03.2011 Reserve capacity was decreased to 1%
17.12.2011 28,145 Some modifications on ancillary service
23.12.2011 28,151 Penalties seriously increased
19.01.2012 Test periods were 3 years instead of 1 year

Table 2 Generator power

Statistical data of a power plant in Turkey.
Pmax
Date Events number out of 50.00 ± 0.2 Hz
28.12.2009–31.12.2009 6 b a
Jan’10 8
Feb’10 4 Primary control
Mar’10 0 reserve
Apr’10 1
May’10 6
Jun’10 2
Jul’10 10
Aug’10 9
01.09.2010–18.09.2010 3
18.09.2010–Later 0 fa

Due to common usage of generating units with gas engines, fb

their primary frequency control application is emphasized in this
study. After an overview of frequency control methods and opera-
tional characteristics, the frequency control ability of units with
Frequency
gas engines is evaluated through the test results of a real power
plant. Fig. 1. Power control of two generators having different droops.

Frequency control
f (Hz)
When there is an imbalance between electricity demand and
supply amount, it is important to control frequency, and maintain
it within the desired limits. For this purpose, frequency control by
means of active power can be implemented. The first step is to
describe the power system dynamics by the following power bal- t (s)
ance equation [9,10]:
df s
dW k
¼ Pg  Pc ð1Þ df dyn
dt
where W k ¼ 12 J x2 , is kinetic energy of all rotating machines, Pg is 2
power generation, Pc is power consumption, J is the moment of iner-
tia of all the machines synchronized to the system and x is angular
speed (rad/s).
Eq. (1) describes how the unbalance between generation and 1
consumption (Pg–Pc) will change the rotating energy (dW) in the
system. After differentiating Eq. (1) to calculate small changes, Fig. 2. Frequency drop after power plant trip.
the balance can be expressed in the following form:
dDx
Jx ¼ DP g  DP c ð2Þ By solving Eq. (3), frequency deviation function can be derived
dt as given in Eq. (4).
If we assume that the change in frequency is small, then x = xN
and DPc = KnDf. Thus, J ¼ 2 W k
and Eq. (2) can be expressed as DP g
x2N Df ¼ ð4Þ
follows: K n ð1  ef N K n =ð2W k Þt Þ
W k Df where f2W k
is time constant (T), which is typically 5–10 s and Kn is
2 ¼ DP g  K n Df ð3Þ N Kn
f N dt natural control gain of the network [23,24].
 L. Kılıç, A.B. Arsoy / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 67 (2015) 501–509 503

Restore normal
System
Limit deviation
Frequency

Activate Primary Free reserves

Control

Take over Secondary Free reserves

Control

Take over Tertiary

Control

Fig. 3. Tertiary control reserves (UCTE).

Without frequency control, the frequency change is propor-

tional to 1/Kn times the change of power. A frequency control sys-
Table 3 tem should maintain the frequency deviation within ±0.2 Hz.
Maximum step change of power plants.
Primary frequency control
Prime mover Maximum step change Control range (%)
(in 5 s) (%) (in 30 s) (%)
The primary control of frequency is implemented by the fre-
Hydro-(Francis turbine) 20 30 50–100 quency governors in the power plants. The governors change the
Gas engines 10–30 10–30 40–100 output of a power plant in direct proportional to the change in
Gas turbines 10 20 40–100
Steam turbines (coal fired) 2.5 5–10 50–90
the frequency:
DP g 1 Df Df
¼ ¼ K ð5Þ
Pgn sG f n fn
where DPg is change of generator output [MW], Pgn is generator out-
Table 4 put [MW], sG is (%) droop, Df is change in frequency [Hz], and fn is
Maximum ramp rates of power plants. nominal frequency [Hz].
The term sG is called the drop of the generator, and 1/sG equals
Prime mover Max ramp rate (%/min) Range (%)
to proportional gain (K) of the generator governor. In practice, the
Hydro power 40 0–100
gain is measured as regulating power (Rp) which is the ratio of
Gas engines 6 40–100
Aero derivative gas turbines 6 40–100 power change per frequency change [MW/Hz].
Industrial gas turbines 8 40–100 Pgn
Steam turbines – coal fired 2–4 60–90 DP ¼  Df ¼ Rp Df ð6Þ
sG f n

Part Load Efficiency of Power Plant at Regulaon Mode

45%
40%
35%
30%
Efficiency

25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Output
Gas Engine Gas Turbine

Fig. 4. The net efficiency of power plants outputs at the regulation mode.
504 L. Kılıç, A.B. Arsoy / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 67 (2015) 501–509

Part Load Efficiency at Different Operaon Modes

50%
45%
40%
35%

Efficiency
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
MW
Efficiency Mode Regulaon Mode

Fig. 5. The net efficiency of an 94 MW gas engine power plant in high efficiency and regulation modes.
Grid Frequency [Hz]
Simulate Frequency [Hz]
Active Power [MW]
Valve Position [%]

Time

Fig. 6. Maximum power reserve test.

 L. Kılıç, A.B. Arsoy / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 67 (2015) 501–509
Grid Frequency [Hz]
Simulate Frequency [Hz]
Active Power [MW]
Valve Position [%]
Time
Fig. 7. Maximum power sensitivity test.
The primary frequency control is mainly a proportional control
(P-controller). Frequency fluctuates initially, and a permanent
deviation in the frequency takes place. The time constant of the
primary control lies within the range of few seconds.
Fig. 1 shows the power-frequency characteristics of two gener-
ators having different droops. In case of a minor frequency drop,
generator-a increases its power output more than generator-b. If
the frequency drop is larger than fa, generator-b increases its out-
put until the frequency drops to fb at which point it is also operat-
ing at the maximum power. The regulating power of a generator is
then the primary control reserve divided by the frequency change
Df. The regulating power of plant-a is larger than the regulating
power of plant-b.
Secondary frequency control
Primary frequency control can prevent large frequency varia-
tions during a system disturbance; however, it does not bring the
system frequency back to its scheduled value. The main function
of the secondary control system is to correct the deviation dfs
and to restore the frequency to the scheduled value. The secondary
frequency control systems limit the drop to an acceptable level.
Fig. 2 shows the frequency behaviors of a system where Line 1
has no frequency control while Line 2 has a secondary frequency
505
control. The final frequency will drop to the level where the load
drop corresponds to the output of the lost power plant.
An ideal secondary controller corrects the frequency deviation
by using an integral term in the controller.
Z
1
DPi ¼ K i ACEi  ACEi dt ð7Þ
T ri
where DPi is power output after the secondary controller in control
area i, Ki is proportional factor (gain) of the secondary controller in
area i, ACEi is area control error (ACE) in control area i, Tri is integra-
tion time constant in control area i.
The controller is then classified as a PI-type (Proportional Inte-
gral). However, in practice it is realized by using ramp loading of
operating power plants.
The area control error (ACE) is defined as follows [14]:
ACE ¼ DP þ K Df ð8Þ
Here, DP is power control error or deviation in power balance, Df is
deviation of frequency from the set point, K df is frequency control
error, K is dependency between deviation of power and system
frequency.
The frequency standard in the UCTE area is 50 Hz. The
maximum allowed steady state frequency deviation is ±0.2 Hz.
506 L. Kılıç, A.B. Arsoy / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 67 (2015) 501–509
Grid Frequency [Hz]
Simulate Frequency [Hz]
Active Power [MW]
Valve Position [%]
Time
Fig. 8. Minimum power reserve test.
The performance standard of each grid operator is to control the
area control error (ACE) to zero on a continuous basis.
The secondary reserves should be activated within 30 s and
they should be in full output within 15 min. The secondary control
reserves should release the primary reserves for the next distur-
bance in the system.
Tertiary frequency control
The tertiary frequency control is mainly based on manual
actions initiated by operators. Starting the reserve power plants
(non spinning reserves) is the action taken manually. Tertiary con-
trol should free the secondary control within a period of time when
the system is subjected to a disturbance. UCTE defined this as
15 min. A schematic flow chart of frequency control for UCTE is
given in Fig. 3. Part of the actions will be taken automatically while
some manually. Automatic actions are typically initiated when the
frequency drops below the given limits.
Operational characteristics
Maximum step changes
The maximum step change determines the ability of the power
plants to participate in primary control of the output frequency in
the network during disturbances. The maximum changes of output
within a specified time are given in Table 3.
Maximum ramp rates
The ramp rate is defined as the change of output within one
minute of time, when the power plant is connected to the network.
Typically five or ten minute ramps are needed in interconnected
power systems. The maximum ramp rates have been given in
Table 4 [25,26].
Hydro plants have the fastest ramp rates, while steam plants
have the lowest ramp rates because of the limitations in tempera-
ture changes in steam turbine. The ramp rates of internal combus-
tion engines and gas turbines are almost the same.
Frequency control of MV connected gas turbines and internal
combustion engines
The frequency control is mandatory for power plants with
installed capacity of 50 MW or greater connected to the Turkish
transmission system at the voltage level of 154–380 kV. The oper-
ating principles of this control are set by the National Grid Regula-
tion. The similar principles can be applied to the power plants
connected to medium voltage systems if the type of the engine uti-
lized in the plant are the same.
 L. Kılıç, A.B. Arsoy / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 67 (2015) 501–509
Grid Frequency [Hz]
Simulate Frequency [Hz]
Active Power [MW]
Valve Position [%]
Time
Fig. 9. Minimum power sensitivity test.
The primary frequency control is arranged by using a governor
droop control system that measures the frequency and controls the
engine output in proportion to the frequency deviation. The pri-
mary control of a gas engine power plant can be activated in two
phases according to the requirement of primary frequency control
of UCTE system. In the first phase, the power plant can change its
output by about 30% within 10 s, and in the second phase, by
another 30% in 30 s. Thus, a gas engine power plant can typically
changes its output by ±30% within 30 s. However, this depends
on the type of the gas engines.
Secondary control can be made either manually or automatically
by receiving the Automatic Generation Control (AGC) signals from
the dispatch center. The power plant can increase or decrease its out-
put from the midpoint of 70% by ±30% within five or ten minutes
depending on the requirements of the transmission system operator.
The efficiency values of internal combustion engines and gas
turbine engines can be found in the engine manuals of their ven-
dors. Values obtained from actual power plants can be given as fol-
lows; the efficiency values of large internal combustion engines are
within a range of 40–45% while those of aero-derivative gas tur-
bines and industrial gas turbines are within the ranges of 35–40%
and 25–35%, respectively.
The efficiency of a plant depends on the loading and the operat-
ing mode of the plant. When the plant is operated at the regulation
mode, the efficiency at the midpoint is very important, because a
507
drop in efficiency increases the cost of the regulated power. As
can be seen from Fig. 4, the efficiency of large gas engines at 70%
load is approximately 41%. However, the efficiency drops to 34%
for aero-derivative turbines under the same loading conditions.
A gas engine power plant can also be operated at the high effi-
ciency mode where the load demand is supplied by the minimum
number of units. The studied plant has 6 MW and 8 MW units,
therefore it can generate stable power from a 4 MW output to an
94 MW output with an efficiency of 40% or higher. This is illus-
trated in Fig. 5 [25,26].
Realized primary control performance tests
Within the scope of primary frequency control, the amount of
control reserve in line with the resultant frequency deviations
should be continuously supplied for both maximum and minimum
output power of the engine. Maximum power corresponds to a set
value which is below the nominal power of the unit by the amount
of control reserve capacity. Minimum output power of thermal
units should not be higher than 65% of the installed capacity of
the units. If the system frequency is beyond the limits, units
involved with primary frequency control should react immediately
and change its output power according to the deviations. Complete
reserve amount that has to be enabled in case of a frequency devi-
ation of ±200 mHz should be indicated for each unit. Sensitivity
508 L. Kılıç, A.B. Arsoy / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 67 (2015) 501–509
Grid Frequency [Hz]
Active Power [MW]
Valve Position [%]
Time
Fig. 10. 24 h verification test.
range of primary frequency control system of the units should be
as narrow as possible, and should not exceed ±10 mHz.
Primary frequency control reserve and sensitivity tests have
been implemented on a real power plant with 94.20 MW installed
capacity, having 12 gas engines where engines’ nominal powers
are (6  8.73 MW + 6  6.97 MW). Primary control reserve tests
are achieved in two stages of minimum and maximum levels of
output power. In these stages, the output power is adjusted to a
value which is below or above the nominal output by the reserve
capacity amount. The test results are shown in Figs. 6 and 7 for
maximum output power level and in Figs. 8 and 9 for minimum
output power level. Simulation frequency values of f = 49.8 Hz
and f = 50.2 Hz with the frequency deviations of Df = 200 mHz
and Df = +200 mHz has been applied in the form of a step altera-
tions where each step is maintained at least 15 min, as shown in
Figs. 6 and 8. In primary frequency reserve tests, the limits of
expected reaction of the unit should not exceed maximum 2%
and minimum 1% of nominal output power of the unit, as stated
in the Grid Regulation. In these reserve tests, the unit is waited
to reach a steady state without changing the adjustments made
on the unit. In order to start the sensitivity test, frequency devia-
tion amount in increments of 5 mHz is implemented starting from
Df = 5 mHz in plus and minus directions until unit reaction is
observed. If the unit does not react to frequency deviations of
±5 mHz, the same processes are repeated for the frequency devia-
tions of ±10 mHz, as seen in Figs. 7 and 9. After the completion of
primary frequency control reserve and sensitivity tests success-
fully, recording of actual frequency and normal operation is real-
ized for 24 h, as seen in Fig. 10. The results of these tests
implemented on the units satisfy the grid regulations well.
Conclusion and suggestions
This paper discusses frequency control ability of generating
units focusing on gas engine units. An assessment of frequency
control methods have been given in terms of the loading variation
and the corresponding power balance equations. The frequency
control of the power system is performed by primary, secondary
and tertiary control systems operating in sequence. This is realized
in real power plants by changing the output of medium sized
power plants automatically or manually at high voltage.
The results of primary frequency reserve and sensitivity tests
implemented on a real power plant having gas engine units have
been evaluated whether or not they satisfy the grid requirements.
Since gas engines can change their output dynamically, they do
respond to grid frequency deviation not only at the primary but
also at the secondary level if remotely controlled. As well known,
distributed generation units having gas engines have been increas-
ing continuously at medium voltage grid. These kind of small sized
power plants’ engines can easily be utilized in controlling fre-
quency individually or in a group for a secure and reliable opera-
tion of distribution grid.
References
[1] Lise Wietze. Towards a higher share of distributed generation in Turkey.
Energy Policy 2009;37:4320–8.
[2] Bayod-Rujula Angel A. Future development of the electricity systems with
distributed generation. Energy 2009;34:377–83.
[3] Ackermann Thomas, Andersson Göran, Söder Lennart. Distributed generation:
a definition. Electr Pow Syst Res 2001;57:195–204.
 L. Kılıç, A.B. Arsoy / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 67 (2015) 501–509
[4] Hani Davood, Sadeghi Yazdankhah Ahmad, Madadi Kajabadi Hossein. Impacts
of distributed generations on power system transient and voltage stability.
Electr Pow Energy Syst 2012;43:488–500.
[5] Shayeghi H, Shayanfar HA, Jalili A. Load frequency control strategies: a state-
of-the-art survey for the researchers. Energy Convers Manage
2009;50:344–53.
[6] El Mokadem M, Courtecuisse V, Saudemont C, Robyns B, Deuse J. Experimental
study of variable speed wind generator contribution to primary frequency
control. Renew Energy 2009;34:833–44.
[7] Singh Parmar KP, Majhi S, Kothari DP. Load frequency control of a realistic
power system with multi-source power generation. Electr Pow Energy Syst
2012;42:426–33.
[8] Jones DI, Mansoor SP, Aris FC, Jones GR, Bradley DA, King DJ. A standard
methods for specifying the response of hydroelectric plant in frequency-
control mode. Elect Pow Syst Res 2004;68:19–32.
[9] Electricity Market Grid Regulation, Official Gazette No. 27418 dated
26.11.2009.
[10] Electricity Market Ancillary Service Regulation, Official Gazette No. 27580
dated 13.05.2010.
_
[11] ‘‘Primary Control Service Agreement’’ developed by TürkiyeElektrikIletim A.S
ß.
(TEIAS). <www.teias.gov.tr/YanHizmetler.aspx>.
[12] Union for the Co-ordination of Transmission of Electricity UCTE, UCTE
operation handbook, 2004 <www.entsoe.eu>.
[13] Lobato E, Egido I, Rouco L. Monitoring frequency control in the Turkish power
system. Elect Pow Syst Res 2012;84:144–51.
[14] Yılmaz O. Yük-Frekans Kontrolü ve Türkiye Elektrik Sistemi Uygulamaları,
Genel Değerlendirmeler. ICCI; 2012. p. 145–51.
509
[15] Mirsaeidi Sohrab, Said Dalila Mat, Wazir Mustafa Mohd, Hafiz Habibuddin
Mohd, Ghaffari Kimia. An analytical literature review of the available
techniques for the protection of micro-grids. Int J Electr Pow Energy Syst
(IJEPES) 2014;58(July):300–6.
[16] Tanweer Syed, Rahman Asadur. Power system analysis by distributed
generation. New Delhi: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing; 2013.
[17] Jurado F, Carpio J. Improving distribution system stability by predictive control
of gas turbines. Energy Convers Manage 2006;47(May):2961–73.
[18] Shayeghi H, Shayanfar HA, Jalili A. Load frequency control strategies: a state-
of-art survey for the researcher. Energy Convers Manage 2009;50:344–53.
[19] Maslo Karel, Kolcun Michal. Load-frequency control management in Island
operation. Electr Pow Syst Res 2014;114:10–20.
[20] Shashi Kant Pandey M, Mohanty Soumya R, Nand Kishor M. A literature survey
on load-frequency control for conventional and distribution generation power
systems. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2013;25:318–34.
[21] Mirsaeidi Sohrab, Said Dalila Mat, Wazir Mustafa Mohd, Hafiz Habibuddin
Mohd. Progress and problems in micro-grid protection schemes. Renew
Sustain Energy Rev 2014;37:834–9.
[22] Dulau Mircea, Bica Dorin. Simulation of speed steam turbine control system.
Procedia Technol 2014;12:716–22.
[23] Kundur P. Power system stability and control. USA: McGraw-Hill; 1994.
[24] Saadat H. Power system analysis. USA: McGraw-Hill; 1999.
[25] ISO Standard 3046–1:1995. Performance standard of reciprocation internal
combustion engines.
[26] ISO 3977–2:1997. Gas turbines – procurement – Part 2: standard reference
conditions and ratings.