Analysis of Grid Scale Storage Effectiveness for a West African Interconnected Transmission System
The West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) Interconnected Transmission System (WAPPITS) has faced challenges with frequency control due to limited primary frequency control reserves (PFRs). Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) have been identified as a possible solution to address frequency control challen...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Julius Abayateye Daniel Zimmerle |
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| description | The West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) Interconnected Transmission System (WAPPITS) has faced challenges with frequency control due to limited primary frequency control reserves (PFRs). Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) have been identified as a possible solution to address frequency control challenges and to support growing levels of variable renewable energy in the WAPPITS. This paper uses a dynamic PSS/E grid simulation to evaluate the effectiveness of BESSs and conventional power plants for the maximum N-1 contingency scenario in WAPPITS—the loss of 400 MW of generation. BESSs outperform conventional power plants in fast frequency response; a BESS-only PFR mix produces the best technical performance for the metrics analyzed. However, this approach does not have the best marginal cost; a balanced mix of BESSs and conventional reserves achieves adequate performance on all metrics to meet grid requirements. This hybrid approach combines BESSs’ rapid power injection with the lower cost of conventional units, resulting in improved nadir frequencies (e.g., 49.70–49.76 Hz), faster settling times (1.00–2.20 s), and cost efficiency. The study indicates that an optimal approach to frequency control should include a combination of regulatory reforms and coordinated reserve procurement that includes BESS assets. Regulatory reforms should require or incentivize conventional plant to provide PFRs, possibly through creation of a (new to WAPPITS) market for ancillary services. While not a comprehensive analysis of all variables, these findings provide critical insights for policymakers and system operators. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
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| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-e86ed3c1fdb241fda787d1a3cfff783e2025-08-20T02:45:34ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-07-011814374110.3390/en18143741Analysis of Grid Scale Storage Effectiveness for a West African Interconnected Transmission SystemJulius Abayateye0Daniel Zimmerle1Energy Institute, System Engineering Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USAEnergy Institute, System Engineering Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USAThe West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) Interconnected Transmission System (WAPPITS) has faced challenges with frequency control due to limited primary frequency control reserves (PFRs). Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) have been identified as a possible solution to address frequency control challenges and to support growing levels of variable renewable energy in the WAPPITS. This paper uses a dynamic PSS/E grid simulation to evaluate the effectiveness of BESSs and conventional power plants for the maximum N-1 contingency scenario in WAPPITS—the loss of 400 MW of generation. BESSs outperform conventional power plants in fast frequency response; a BESS-only PFR mix produces the best technical performance for the metrics analyzed. However, this approach does not have the best marginal cost; a balanced mix of BESSs and conventional reserves achieves adequate performance on all metrics to meet grid requirements. This hybrid approach combines BESSs’ rapid power injection with the lower cost of conventional units, resulting in improved nadir frequencies (e.g., 49.70–49.76 Hz), faster settling times (1.00–2.20 s), and cost efficiency. The study indicates that an optimal approach to frequency control should include a combination of regulatory reforms and coordinated reserve procurement that includes BESS assets. Regulatory reforms should require or incentivize conventional plant to provide PFRs, possibly through creation of a (new to WAPPITS) market for ancillary services. While not a comprehensive analysis of all variables, these findings provide critical insights for policymakers and system operators.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3741frequency controlprimary frequency response (PFR)stabilityvariable renewable energy (VRE)battery energy storage system (BESS) |
| spellingShingle | Julius Abayateye Daniel Zimmerle Analysis of Grid Scale Storage Effectiveness for a West African Interconnected Transmission System Energies frequency control primary frequency response (PFR) stability variable renewable energy (VRE) battery energy storage system (BESS) |
| title | Analysis of Grid Scale Storage Effectiveness for a West African Interconnected Transmission System |
| title_full | Analysis of Grid Scale Storage Effectiveness for a West African Interconnected Transmission System |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of Grid Scale Storage Effectiveness for a West African Interconnected Transmission System |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of Grid Scale Storage Effectiveness for a West African Interconnected Transmission System |
| title_short | Analysis of Grid Scale Storage Effectiveness for a West African Interconnected Transmission System |
| title_sort | analysis of grid scale storage effectiveness for a west african interconnected transmission system |
| topic | frequency control primary frequency response (PFR) stability variable renewable energy (VRE) battery energy storage system (BESS) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3741 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT juliusabayateye analysisofgridscalestorageeffectivenessforawestafricaninterconnectedtransmissionsystem AT danielzimmerle analysisofgridscalestorageeffectivenessforawestafricaninterconnectedtransmissionsystem |