Implementation of AGC in Uruguay - Operational challenges and solution approach

This paper summarizes the implementation of Automatic Generation Control on the new SCADA/EMS system at Usinas y Transmisiones Eléctricas (UTE), to improve the secondary frequency regulation in Uruguay. The primary incentive for UTE to implement AGC is the large increase in wind generation capacity being planned in Uruguay. AGC is an effective tool to compensate the variability and intermittency in the total output of the wind farms. A significant operational challenge in the implementation of AGC in Uruguay was the modeling and control of the Salto Grande Power Plant. Salto Grande is a very large hydro generation facility that is located on the border between Uruguay and Argentina and is jointly-owned between the two countries. The paper also outlines the solution approach being adopted by UTE for Economic Dispatch, Reserve Monitoring, Interchange Scheduling and the Operator Training Simulator.