| Abstract |
In recent years, predictions of increasing global climate change have sparked interest in the use of geothermal energy in countries where the resource is abundant. In Kenya, 766.6 MW (46.2%) of installed power generation in 2013 is hydropower and the geothermal energy is 250.2 MW (14.2%). Kenya’s installed generation capacity is projected to increase to about 14,676 MW by 2030 basing on the reference scenario. The intention is to diversify the base-load from hydro to other sources of energy mainly geothermal. The expected power supply from various sources by 2030 is projected to be: geothermal 5,450.00 (37.13) hydro 3,000MW (20.44%), diesel 500 MW (3.40 %), natural gas 1,500 MW (10.22%), and other sources will account for 12.32%. Thus, geothermal energy will be a major source of electrical energy in Kenya. In this regard, the country plans to develop her geothermal resources and subsequently build numerous geothermal plants in coming years thus increasing the proportion of geothermal energy of the total generated capacity. This paper aimed at carrying out analysis of the effects on power system stability due to increased integration of geothermal power in the Kenya by looking at the inertia of geothermal power plants with other main plants mainly hydro. The analysis is motivated by the large number of GPPs to be integrated to the system, geothermal resources being in volcanic area and uncontrolled load connectivity. As large numbers of geothermal power plants are connected into the Kenyan power system, the impact and effects on system stability/reliability need to be interrogated. |