Load-frequency control service in a deregulated environment

In a deregulated environment, independent generators and utility generators may or may not participate in the load-frequency control of the system. Fo r the purpose of evaluating the performance of such a system, a flexible me thod has been developed and implemented. The method assumes that load frequ ency control is performed by an ISO based on parameters defined by the part icipating generating units. The participating units comprise utility genera tors and independent power producers. The utilities define the units, which will be under load-frequency control, while the independent power producer s may or may not participate in the load frequency control. For all the uni ts, which participate in the load-frequency control, the generator owner de fines (a) generation limits, (b) rate of change and (c) economic participat ion factor. This information is transmitted to the ISO. This scheme allows the utilities to economically dispatch their own system, while at the same time permit the ISO to control the interconnected system operation. (C) 199 9 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.