CASE STUDY :
California Independent System Operator Corporation (CAISO):
solving power system stability problems
Introduction:-
image reference:
https://www.zema.global/datavendor/california-iso/
California ISO (CAISO) is an independent system operator (ISO) of California's
electric grid. It manages the flow of electricity across high-voltage, long-distance
power lines, serving approximately 80% of California and a small portion of
Nevada. Ensuring the reliable and efficient operation of the electric grid,
overseeing the wholesale energy market, facilitating the buying and selling of
electricity, and Identifying and planning for future grid needs to maintain
reliability and efficiency are some of its basic functions.
Key functions of the California ISO include:
Market Operations: managing markets for additional (ancillary)
services, real-time imbalance energy, and transmission congestion.
Transmission System Control: monitoring and coordinating the
operation of the transmission grid.
Reliability Assurance: ensuring the grid's stability and preventing
blackouts.
Congestion Management: addressing issues related to transmission
capacity constraints.
Other functions include : Market Operations ,Transmission System
Control ,Reliability Assurance, Congestion Management, Renewable
Energy Integration & Cybersecurity.
Key Problems Faced by CAISO in Power System Stability
and Their Solutions:-
1): Renewable energy: -
Challenge: Due to the increase in renewable energy sources
(like solar and wind), there are rapid power fluctuations, which
makes maintaining grid stability difficult.
Solutions proposed by CAISO:-
(i) Advanced Forecasting: -
CAISO uses sophisticated forecasting tools to predict RES output,
enabling proactive grid management.
Fig. Increase in battery-energy storage over the years at CAISO
image reference: https://www.solaranywhere.com/2014/csi-rdd-forecasting-today/
Clean Power Research developed and tested new technologies for
forecasting behind-the-meter PV. CAISO now receives a forecast
every thirty minutes of most of the distributed PV systems within its
service territory. (6)
(ii) Energy Storage: -
Fig. Increase in battery-energy storage over the years at CAISO
image reference: https://www.rtoinsider.com/49989-batteries-multiply-
caiso-soak-solar/
CAISO started deploying energy-saving systems (like batteries) very
heavily in the last few years.
Battery storage has since displaced natural gas for managing solar
energy fluctuations.
Giving the following positive outcomes:-
Natural gas generation was less during peak hours,
which further improved air quality.
Increase in midday demands due to battery charging:
charging during midday allowed batteries to shift demand to
off-peak hours when renewable energy is less abundant,
which helps reduce strain on the grid.
More solar energy is being integrated into the grid:
since solar energy is generally cheaper than most forms of
energy- electricity costs for consumers are lowered.
Reduced midday exports from CAISO to its
neighbouring areas: Improved grid reliability: By reducing
exports, CAISO can maintain a more stable grid within its
own region, reducing the risk of blackouts & energy
efficiency gets increased.
A flatter load curve, potentially improving grid
stability: a flatter load curve means less extreme
fluctuations in demand, which can improve grid stability and
reduce the need for costly peak power plants.(7)
(iii)Demand Response Programs: -
Consumers are encouraged to adjust their energy usage in
response to grid conditions this helps manage fluctuations in
Renewable energy source output as peak hours usage is reduced.
(8)
2) Voltage Stability: -
reference https://www.pterraph.com/category/voltage-stability/
Fig. voltage instability in power transmission
Challenge: Fluctuations in load and generation can cause
voltage instability, leading to equipment damage and power
outages.
Solutions proposed by CAISO:-
Reactive Power Control: CAISO uses reactive power control
devices like static var compensators for regulating voltage levels
and maintaining grid stability.
Using devices like transformers tap changers to adjust
voltage levels in different parts of the grid: By adjusting the
tap settings, CAISO can ensure that voltage levels remain within
acceptable limits, even during periods of fluctuating load or
generation.
Load Shedding: A pre-determined load shedding plan is there
that prioritizes the affected customers or regions accordingly.
Disruptions to businesses and industries like hospitals which are
crucial to the local or regional economy are given top priority.
3) Frequency Stability :-
image reference: https://www.caiso.com/Documents/Report-
FrequencyResponseStudy.pdf
Challenge: Rapid changes in load or generation can cause
frequency deviations, leading to system instability and
potential blackouts.
Solution:
Governor Control: CAISO closely monitors and controls the
governors of synchronous generators to maintain frequency
stability.
Inertia Response: While traditional synchronous generators
provide inertia to help stabilize frequency, the increasing
penetration of inverter-based resources (like solar and wind)
reduces the inertia. CAISO is currently finding solutions to this- such
as using synthetic inertia or virtual synchronous machines.
Frequency-Responsive Loads: Encouraging loads to respond to
frequency changes can help maintain system stability.
4) Cyber Security Threats
Challenge: Increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks pose a significant
threat to the security and reliability of the power grid.
Top 15 Cyber Threats faced by CAISO:-
Cyber Threats Threat Category
Malware Malware attack
Web-based attacks Web-Based Attacks
Phishing Social Engineering
Hacking web applications Application Attacks
Junk posting
Spam
Overwhelming their network by it
DDoS
with excessive traffic/ requests
Stealing Identity Identity Theft
Data breach Data Breaches
threats posed by employees,
contractors, or others with Insider Threats
legitimate access inside CAISO.
Botnets Botnets
Physical manipulation, damage,
Physical Security
theft and loss
Information leakage Information Leakage
Ransomware Ransomware attack
Espionage Cyberespionage
Cryptojacking Cryptojacking
Solution:
Security Measures: CAISO implements robust security measures,
including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption
protocols, to protect its critical infrastructure.
Continuous Monitoring: CAISO closely monitors its systems for
signs of cyber attacks and responds accordingly to any incidents.
Collaboration: CAISO collaborates with other industry stakeholders
and government agencies to share information and best practices
related to cyber security.
Member name Their contribution to Roll no. Registration
this case study:- No.
Yash Kumar 2.Voltage Stability 1 210906342
Aniket Anand 4.Cyber Security 3 220906010
Threats
Ayush Chandra Introduction to CAISO, 7 220906300
1.Renewable energy
Rohan Pai 3.Frequency Stability 19 220906398
References
(1)https://www.caiso.com/Documents/Chapter2_1998AnnualReport_MarketIssuesandPerfor
mance.pdf
(2) https://www.nerc.com/pa/RAPA/ra/Reliability%20Assessments%20DL/NERC-
CAISO_VG_Assessment_Final.pdf
(3) https://www.caiso.com/documents/eisg-presentation-renewable-integration-in-the-
western-us-apr17-2023.pdf
(4) https://renewablewatch.in/2022/05/04/renewable-energy-integration/
(5) https://www.solaranywhere.com/2014/csi-rdd-forecasting-today/
(6) https://changeoracle.com/2023/01/31/renewables-are-growing-but-is-it- enough-to-stop-
climate-change/
(7) https://blog.gridstatus.io/caiso-batteries-apr-2024/
(8)
https://www.iso-ne.com/static-assets/documents/100008/clg_meeting_powers_keynote_prese
ntation_03_06_2024.pdf
