A method for providing frequency response for a plant coupled to an electric power grid, the plant having an intermittent energy source, comprising: measuring frequency of the power output from the plant and determining a first difference between the measured frequency and a frequency reference; measuring power output from the plant and storing the measured power output as a stored value; while the first difference is within a deadband, determining a second difference as a difference between a power reference and the measured power output; while the first difference indicates over-frequency, determining the second difference as a difference between the stored value and the measured power output; while the first difference indicates under-frequency, setting the second difference equal to the power reference; generating an error by limiting a sum of the first and second differences between error limits; generating a control signal; and, applying the control signal to the source.