Analysis of Pumped Storage Plant Measurements for Power System Inertia Estimation

This paper analyzes pumped storage plant data for grid inertia estimation amid rising renewable energy use. Traditional methods use sudden MW changes to estimate inertia using the swing equation. Pumped storage plants offer multiple MW change events for inertia estimation due to their various operation modes. Our analysis shows that pump turn-off events have distinct sudden MW changes ideal for inertia estimation. These events consistently display MW changes, negating the need for continuous MW data streaming. We also study the plant’s operation patterns and their link to low inertia times. Our findings suggest the potential of using pump events for more informed decisions on grid reliability amidst renewable energy challenges.