Challenges and opportunities of inertia estimation and forecasting in low-inertia power systems

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews 2021-09, Vol.147, p.111176, Article 111176
• Main Authors: Heylen, Evelyn, Teng, Fei, Strbac, Goran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Inertia estimation; Inertia forecasting; Low-inertia power systems; Power system operation
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111176

Accurate inertia estimates and forecasts are crucial to support the system operation in future low-inertia power systems. A large literature on inertia estimation methods is available. This paper aims to provide an overview and classification of inertia estimation methods. The classification considers the time horizon the methods are applicable to, i.e., offline post mortem, online real time and forecasting methods, and the scope of the inertia estimation, e.g., system-wide, regional, generation, demand, individual resource. The framework presented in this paper facilitates objective comparisons of the performance of newly developed or improved inertia estimation methods with the state-of-the-art methods in their respective time horizon and with their respective scope. Moreover, shortcomings of the existing inertia estimation methods have been identified and suggestions for future work have been made. •Inertia estimation has evolved from post-mortem to (near-)continuous online estimation.•Continuous inertia estimation is crucial in low-inertia systems with more variability.•Embedded units providing virtual inertia ask for high-resolution total inertia estimates.•Verification of methods to continuously estimate total inertia is still missing.•Ample opportunities are identified for progression in inertia forecasting.