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Analysis of institutional authors

Martinez-Lucas, GuillermoAuthorFernandez-Guillamon, AnaCorresponding AuthorIgnacio Sarasua, JoseAuthor

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September 22, 2025
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Frequency Regulation Analysis of the Coca Codo Sinclair Hydropower Plant (Ecuador) in Isolated Operation With High Wind Power Penetration

Publicated to: IEEE Access. 13 148003-148015 - 2025-01-01 13(), DOI: 10.1109/access.2025.3601378

Authors:

Martínez-Lucas, G; Fernández-Guillamón, A; Mier, VAG; Sarasua, JI
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Affiliations

Distance Univ Madrid UDIMA, Fac Engn, Collado Villalba 28400, Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Castilla La Mancha, Renewable Energy Res Inst, Dept Appl Mech & Projects Engn, Albacete 02071, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Dept Hydraul Energy & Environm Engn, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
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Abstract

The increasing integration of wind energy into isolated power systems presents significant challenges for frequency regulation, particularly in regions where renewable penetration is expected to rise. This paper analyzes the frequency control capabilities of the Coca Codo Sinclair Hydropower Plant under such conditions, proposing a systematic methodology for tuning the gains of its speed governor. A dynamic model of the plant is developed in Matlab Simulink, explicitly incorporating long penstocks and hydraulic coupling between generating units, a configuration rarely addressed in conventional tuning approaches. The tuning strategy is based on minimizing a performance penalty index that reflects the plant's response to power disturbances. Two gain-setting approaches are evaluated: one that adapts to the operational configuration of the generation units, and another that uses fixed gains regardless of operating mode. Simulation results, aligned with national renewable expansion plans, show that both strategies improve frequency stability compared to conventional tuning. The mode-dependent tuning yields better performance in reducing frequency deviations, while the fixed-gain approach simplifies implementation but may increase mechanical stress on turbine components. The results demonstrate that a suitable methodology for tuning speed controller gains in isolated systems with complex hydraulic dynamics enhances system performance, even under high wind power penetration levels. Moreover, these results highlight the importance of realistic modeling and adaptive tuning in the reliable integration of renewable energy in remote and decarbonization-priority areas.
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Keywords

Frequency controlGovernor tuningHydraulic systemsHydraulic-turbineHydroelectric power generationHydropower plantIncreasing penetrationIsolated power systemPelton turbinePenstockPower generationPower system dynamicsPower system stabilityPower transmission linesRenewable energy integrationRenewable energy sourcesSystemsThermal stabilityTuningVariable-speedWind power generation

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal IEEE Access due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Engineering (Miscellaneous).

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-24:

  • Scopus: 1
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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-24:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 3 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
    • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/91270/

    As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

    • Views: 57
    • Downloads: 109
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    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (MARTINEZ DE LUCAS, GUILLERMO) and Last Author (SARASUA MORENO, JOSE IGNACIO).

    the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been FERNANDEZ GUILLAMON, ANA.

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    Awards linked to the item

    This work was supported by Madrid Government (Comunidad de Madrid-Spain) through the Multiannual Agreement 2023-2026 with the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid in the Line A, Emerging Ph.D. researchers, under Grant DOCTORES-EMERGENTES-24-Y8X7NY-18-RPLBQC.
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