Operation and coordinated control of fixed and variable speed wind farms

This paper will describe the possibilities of coordinated control and management for different wind farm concepts to guarantee that operational set points of active and reactive power, specified by the Spanish transmission system operator (TSO), are reached. This coordinated control has been designed and implemented by a hierarchical and robust control structured from a central control level to each wind farm control board and finally to an individual wind turbine level. This article will demonstrate that both technologies, fixed and variable speed based wind farms can contribute to power and voltage control. In particular, this paper will deal with the use of under-load tap changing transformers in the point of common coupling of the wind farm with the grid, and the reactive power compensation by means of convectional mechanical switched capacitors enhancing the integration of the fixed speed wind farms in the power system.     

Validation of fixed speed wind turbine dynamic models with measured data

Power system dynamics studies involving fixed-speed wind turbines normally use a wind turbine model consisting of two lumped masses, an elastic coupling and a induction generator model which neglects stator transients. However, validations of this model with measured data are rarely reported in the literature. This paper validates the model using a recorded case obtained in a fixed speed, stall regulated 180 kW wind turbine through a voltage dip. The work analyses the performance of the reduced order induction generator model which neglects stator transients, compared to the detailed induction generator model. It also includes a study of the convenience of representing mechanical damping in the drive train, and an evaluation of the single mass mechanical model.     

Aggregated dynamic model for wind farms with doubly fed induction generator wind turbines

As a result of increasing wind farms penetration in power systems, the wind farms begin to influence power system, and thus the modelling of wind farms has become an interesting research topic. Nowadays, doubly fed induction generator based on wind turbine is the most widely used technology for wind farms due to its main advantages such as high-energy efficiency and controllability, and improved power quality. When the impact of a wind farm on power systems is studied, the behavior of the wind farm at the point common coupling to grid can be represented by an equivalent model derived from the aggregation of wind turbines into an equivalent wind turbine, instead of the complete model including the modelling of all the wind turbines. In this paper, a new equivalent model of wind farms with doubly fed induction generator wind turbines is proposed to represent the collective response of the wind farm by one single equivalent wind turbine, even although the aggregated wind turbines operate receiving different incoming winds. The effectiveness of the equivalent model to represent the collective response of the wind farm is demonstrated by comparing the simulation results of equivalent and complete models both during normal operation and grid disturbances.     

Dynamic behavior and transient stability analysis of fixed speed wind turbines

This paper analytically investigates the dynamic behavior of fixed speed wind turbines (FSWTs) under wind speed fluctuations and system disturbances, and identifies the nature of transient instability and system variables involved in the instability. The nature of transient instability in FSWT is not similar to synchronous generators in which the cause of instability is rotor angle instability. In this paper, the study of dynamic behavior includes modal and sensitivity analysis, dynamic behavior analysis under wind speed fluctuation, eigenvalue tracking, and using it to characterize the instability mode, and investigating possible outcomes of instability. The results of theoretical studies are verified by time domain simulations. It is found that the instability occurs due to the mechanical dynamics and the instability is closely related to increasing of generator slip.     

Transient stability of a fixed speed wind farm

A typical fixed speed wind farm connected to a simple grid is modelled. Using this model, a three-phase fault is applied close to the wind farm, and cleared by disconnecting the affected line. The effect of several electric, mechanical and operational parameters on the critical fault-clearing time of this base case is evaluated and discussed. The studied parameters are the short-circuit power at the connection bus, the reactive power compensation, the distance to the fault, the rotor inertia, the hub-generator resonant frequency, the wind speed and the power output. For each parameter, the relationship between its value and the critical fault-clearing time is shown graphically. The results help to understand the transient stability phenomena in fixed speed wind farms, and could help to design fixed speed wind farms attending to transient stability requirements.     

Extraction of synoptic pressure patterns for long-term wind speed estimation in wind farms using evolutionary computing

In this paper we present an evolutionary approach for the problem of discovering pressure patterns under a quality measure related to wind speed and direction. This clustering problem is specially interesting for companies involving in the management of wind farms, since it can be useful for analysis of results of the wind farm in a given period and also for long-term wind speed prediction. The proposed evolutionary algorithm is based on a specific encoding of the problem, which uses a dimensional reduction of the problem. With this special encoding, the required centroids are evolved together with some other parameters of the algorithm. We define a specific crossover operator and two different mutations in order to improve the evolutionary search of the proposed approach. In the experimental part of the paper, we test the performance of our approach in a real problem of pressure pattern extraction in the Iberian Peninsula, using a wind speed and direction series in a wind farm in the center of Spain. We compare the performance of the proposed evolutionary algorithm with that of an existing weather types (WT) purely meteorological approach, and we show that the proposed evolutionary approach is able to obtain better results than the WT approach.     

Low wind speed turbines and wind power potential in Minnesota, USA

Wind power development in Minnesota largely has been focused in the “windy” southwestern part of the state. This research evaluates the additional power that potentially could be generated via low wind speed turbines, particularly for areas of the state where there has been comparatively little wind energy investment. Data consist of 3 years (2002–2004) of wind speed measurements at 70–75 m above ground level, at four sites representing the range of wind speed regimes (Classes 2–5) found in Minnesota. Power estimates use three configurations of the General Electric 1.5-MW series turbine that vary in rotor diameter and in cut-in, cut-out, and rated speeds. Results show that lower cut-in, cut-out, and rated speeds, and especially the larger rotor diameters, yield increases of 15–30% in wind power potential at these sites. Gains are largest at low wind speed (Class 2) sites and during the summer months at all four sites. Total annual wind power at each site shows some year-to-year variability, with peaks at some sites partially compensating for lulls at others. Such compensation does not occur equally in all years: when large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns are strong (e.g., 2002), the four sites show similar patterns of above- and below-average wind power, somewhat reducing the ability of geographic dispersion to mitigate the effects of wind speed variability.     

Modelling wind farms for grid disturbance studies

This paper analyses the simplest representation of generators on wind turbine modelling, giving the accuracy required in power system disturbance studies. The order of the generator model and the numerical integration methods employed are compared.To avoid the use of a detailed model of a wind farm, several aggregated models can be found in the literature. This paper analyses the influence of the wind farm internal network in the accuracy of the results and proposes a new equivalent model to represent the dynamic response of wind farms. The proposed aggregated model considers a weighted average where the transported power is used as weighting factor in order to ameliorate the accuracy on grid disturbance simulations.     

Dynamic model of wind energy conversion systems with PMSG-based variable-speed wind turbines for power system studies

In order to study the impact of a wind farm on the dynamics of the power system, a significant issue is to develop appropriate equivalent models that allow characterizing the dynamics of all individual wind turbine generators (WTGs) composing the park. In this sense, with the advance of power electronics, direct-driven permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs) have drawn increased interest to wind turbine manufacturers due to their advantages over other variable-speed WTGs. These include the possibility of multi-pole design with a gearless construction that offers slow speed operation and reduced maintenance since no brushes are used, elimination of the excitation system, full controllability for maximum wind power extraction and grid interface, and easiness in accomplishing fault-ride through and grid support. In this way, this paper presents a comprehensive dynamic equivalent model of a wind farm with direct-driven PMSG wind turbines using full-scale converters and its control scheme. The proposed simplified modelling is developed using the state-space averaging technique and is implemented in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. The dynamic performance of the wind farm and its impact on the power system operation is evaluated using the phasor simulation method.     

Power system frequency response from fixed speed and doubly fed induction generator‐based wind turbines

Throughout Europe there is an increasing trend of connecting high penetrations of wind turbines to the transmission networks. This has resulted in transmission system operators revising their grid code documents for the connection of large wind farms. These specifications require large MW capacity wind farms to have the ability to assist in some of the power system control services currently carried out by conventional synchronous generation. These services include voltage and frequency control. It is now recognized that much of this new wind generation plant will use either fixed speed induction generator (FSIG)‐ or doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)‐based wind turbines. The addition of a control loop to synthesize inertia in the DFIG wind turbine using the power electronic control system has been described. The possibility of deloading wind turbines for frequency response using blade pitch angle control is discussed. A pitch control scheme to provide frequency response from FSIG and DFIG wind turbines is also described. A case study of an FSIG wind turbine with frequency response capabilities is investigated. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Offshore wind energy in the world context

The interest for the exploitation of the offshore wind energy is growing in Europe, where man land use is very high resulting in strong limitation to the installation of onshore wind farms. The today offshore operating wind power is 12 MW, with two wind farms in Denmark and one in Netherlands; it starts to be significant (0.6%) in terms of the onshore power, 2000 MW in Europe.In the world the onshore installed wind power is exceeding 4000 MW, but not so much up to now has been done on the offshore area outside Europe.The European four years experience on the prototypical offshore wind farms looks significantly promising and suggests to promote a similar approach in many densely populated coastal countries in the world with high electricity demand.Results of studies are presented on the offshore wind potential in the European countries and of the tentative evaluation for the Mediterranean basin, and the seas of USA and China. A review is made of the offshore applications, particularly for the Nothern European seas.Economy and environmental trends are illustrated in parallel to those of maturing offshore technology. It is suggested to prepare an action plan to promote the development of the offshore applications in the world context.     

Evaluation of internal force superposition on a TLP for wind turbines

The offshore wind resources globally present a great opportunity for green power generation. Both types, fixed and floating foundations, will play a major role in utilizing these resources. The preliminary design of the floating system called GICON^®-Tension Leg Platform (TLP) is meant to provide a solution for harnessing the power of offshore wind at water depths between 20 m and 350 m. In addition a design for water depth up to 700 m is currently under development. The research project is a joint development of private industry and academic institutions. The main partners are ESG GmbH and Technische Universität Freiberg. Currently ongoing research includes the comparison of calculated data with experimental data obtained by wave tank experiments with a scale model at the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) in June 2013. These tests have provided insights regarding the dynamic characteristics of the GICON^®-TLP by analyzing the system's response to different load cases. Furthermore, the results of the scale model tests at MARIN have confirmed that a superposition of the internal forces for wind and wave loads can be assumed for the structural design. This can be traced back to the stiffness of the mooring line system and the innovative mooring line configuration.     

Multivariable control strategy for variable speed, variable pitch wind turbines

Reliable and powerful control strategies are needed for wind energy conversion systems to achieve maximum performance. A new control strategy for a variable speed, variable pitch wind turbine is proposed in this paper for the above-rated power operating condition. This multivariable control strategy is realized by combining a nonlinear dynamic state feedback torque control strategy with a linear control strategy for blade pitch angle. A comparison with existing strategies, PID and LQG controllers, is performed. The proposed approach results in better power regulation. The new control strategy has been validated using an aeroelastic wind turbine simulator developed by NREL for a high turbulence wind condition.     

Innovatory designs for ducted wind turbines

Designs for conventional ducted wind turbines usually include a large inlet for more absorption of the airflow. However, the most efficient solution should be increasing the speed of wind. In this paper, a bucket-shape ducted wind turbine is proposed and studies show that a sucking effect can be produced according to the Bernoulli's principle, and this significantly increases the wind speed inside the duct and substantially enhances the efficiency of the wind turbine. Moreover, the geometry of the duct is optimized by the combination of an improved complex algorithm, an object-oriented optimizing program interface, and simulations by CFD software. According to the analyses, the optimal shape for the interior of the duct appears to be an unconventional nozzle, which extends the range of wind speed by 60%.Based on this bucket duct equipped with the optimal nozzle, we have practically designed and constructed a wind power generator. The results of the field tests show that the proposed ducted turbine does improve the flow around the generator and thus increase its power extraction efficiency by about 80%.     

随机风速下风力发电机传动系统动态外载荷计算

通过建立实际风场的随机风速模型、风轮气动性能模型、传动链模型、发电机模型,获得了风力发电机整机的动力学分析模型。根据变速风力发电机的控制策略,计算了随机风速和发电机负载条件下传动系统的动态外载荷,并比较了采用刚性、柔性传动链模型对传动系统动态外载荷的影响,为进一步研究风力发电机齿轮传动系统的动态特性及可靠性奠定了基础。     

Leading edge erosion of wind turbines: Effect of solid airborne particles and rain on operational wind farms

Leading edge erosion (LEE) affects almost all wind turbines, reducing their annual energy production and lifetime profitability. This study presents results of an investigation into 18 operational wind farms to assess the validity of the current literature consensus surrounding LEE. Much of the historical research focuses on rain erosion, implying that this is the predominant causal factor. However, this study showed that the impact of excessive airborne particles from seawater aerosols or from adverse local environments such as nearby quarries greatly increases the levels of LEE. Current testing of leading edge protection coatings or tapes is based on a rain erosion resistivity test, which does little to prove its ability to withstand solid particle erosion and may drive coating design in the wrong direction. Furthermore, it was shown that there is little correlation between test results and actual field performance. A method of monitoring the expected level of erosion on an operational wind turbine due to rain erosion is also presented. Finally, the energy losses associated with LEE on an operational wind farm are examined, with the average annual energy production dropping by 1.8% due to medium levels of erosion, with the worst affected turbine experiencing losses of 4.9%.     

An up to date review of continuously variable speed wind turbines with mechatronic variable transmissions

As a promising and potential alternative to conventional fixed or variable speed wind turbines, continuously variable speed wind turbines (CVSWTs) with variable transmissions offer improved power efficiency and enhanced power control capabilities. The CVSWTs can be generally achieved by adapting mechatronic variable transmissions in the turbine drive train for continuously variable speed operations for wind turbines. Therefore, this paper serves to provide an up to date and exhaustive review of the CVSWTs with mechatronic variable transmissions such as mechanical variable transmission, electrical variable transmission, and power splitting transmission. In this paper, the analysis of CVSWTs with different mechatronic transmission topologies is performed regarding basic configurations, dynamic characteristics, control principles, and experimental or simulation results. Review results indicate the feasibility of applying CVSWTs with such mechatronic transmissions and highlight superiorities of the CVSWTs with power splitting transmission. The CVSWT with power splitting transmission will be particularly suitable for megawatt‐scale turbine systems and will hence increase the economic competitiveness of these turbines due to its large power capacity and high reliability. The directions or challenges for future investigations of CVSWTs with such mechatronic transmissions are also presented to foster in‐depth understanding of such CVSWTs and their control strategies.     

Virtual inertia for variable speed wind turbines

Inertia provision for frequency control is among the ancillary services that different national grid codes will likely require to be provided by future wind turbines. The aim of this paper is analysing how the inertia response support from a variable speed wind turbine (VSWT) to the primary frequency control of a power system can be enhanced. Unlike fixed speed wind turbines, VSWTs do not inherently contribute to system inertia, as they are decoupled from the power system through electronic converters. Emphasis in this paper is on how to emulate VSWTs inertia using control of the power electronic converter and on its impact on the primary frequency response of a power system. An additional control for the power electronics is implemented to give VSWTs a virtual inertia, referring to the kinetic energy stored in the rotating masses, which can be released initially to support the system's inertia. A simple Matlab/Simulink model and control of a VSWT and of a generic power system are developed to analyse the primary frequency response following different generation losses in a system comprising VSWTs provided with virtual inertia. The possibility of substituting a 50% share of conventional power with wind is also assessed and investigated. The intrinsic problems related to the implementation of virtual inertia are illustrated, addressing their origin in the action of pitch and power control. A solution is proposed, which aims at obtaining the same response as for the system with only conventional generation. The range of wind speeds near the power limitation zone seems to be the most critical from a primary response point of view. The theoretical reasons behind this are elucidated in the paper. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessing the suitability of wind speed probabilty distribution functions based on wind power density

Three functions have so far predominantly been used for fitting the measured wind speed probability distribution in a given location over a certain period of time, typically monthly or yearly. In the literature, it is common to fit these functions to compare which one fits the measured distribution best in a particular location. During this comparison process, parameters on which the suitability of the fit is judged are required. The parameters that are mostly used are the mean wind speed or the total wind energy output (primary parameters). It is, however, shown in the present study that one cannot judge the suitability of the functions based on the primary parameters alone. Additional parameters (secondary parameters) that complete the primary parameters are required to have a complete assessment of the fit, such as the discrepancy between the measured and fitted distributions, both for the wind speed and wind energy (that is the standard deviation of wind speed and wind energy distributions). Therefore, the secondary statistical parameters have to be known as well as the primary ones to make a judgement about the suitability of the distribution functions analysed. The primary and secondary parameters are calculated from the 12-month of measured hourly wind speed data and detailed analyses of wind speed distributions are undertaken in the present article.