Power System Frequency Response From the Control of Bitumen Tanks

Bitumen tanks were tested to investigate the capability of industrial heating loads to provide frequency response to an electric power system. A decentralized control algorithm was developed enabling the tanks to alter their power consumption in proportion to the variations of grid frequency. The control maintains the normal operation of tanks and causes little impact on their primary function of storing hot bitumen. Field investigations were undertaken on 76 tanks with power ratings from 17 to 75 kW. A model of a population of controlled tanks was developed. The behavior of the tanks was compared between the simulations and the field tests. The model of controlled tanks was then integrated with a simplified Great Britain power system model. It was shown that the controlled tanks were able to contribute to the grid frequency control in a manner similar to and faster than that provided by frequency-sensitive generation. contribute to the grid frequency control in a manner similar to and faster than that provided by frequency-sensitive generation.