Influence of WECS on system

transient response
&
Interconnection
standards and grid code
requirements for integration

WECS
A WECS is a structure that transforms the kinetic energy of the
incoming air stream into electrical energy.

Transients in WECS
It is intended to address the system response to two types of
transient phenomena:
voltage dips (fast transients)
wind speed variations (slow transients)

The system response to voltage dips is governed by the electrical

system dynamics and control method which results in the
evaluation of the WECS low-voltage ride through capability.
The study of the system response to wind speed variations requires
a complete mechanical model to be included.

Dual role
Due to the improvement of solid state devices performance and
control system design, WECS also provides ancillary services such as
reactive power supply, voltage control and active power regulation.
One of the ancillary services is the use of WECS as an active filter
(AF).
The power converters installed in the WECS are controlled to sink
the harmonic currents injected by nonlinear loads (NLLs) connected
at the same point of common coupling (PCC); at the same time, the
WECS delivers fundamental active power extracted from the wind.

WECS

WECS
The doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) stator terminals are
connected to the PCC through a feeder, (equivalent resistance Rc and
inductance Lc)
The DFIG rotor is supplied by two back- to-back connected converters:
the rotor side converter (RSC) and the line side converter (LSC).
The feeder that connects the LSC to the PCC has the equivalent
resistance RL and inductance LL .
The RSC and LSC solid-state switches are driven by means of pulse
width modulation (PWM) .

The dc-link is made of two series-connected capacitors, and the

centered tap is connected to the neutral.
A NLL is connected to the same PCC through a feeder(Rh and Lh ).

SYSTEM RESPONSE TO VOLTAGE DIPS

The most recent international standards require the WECS
to remain connected to the grid after a voltage sag takes
place and to continue to supply power; this requirement is
known as low-voltage ride through (LVRT).

Assumptions
1) The NLL consists of three single-phase diode bridges connected line-to-neutral: the dc-load current is 480 A.
Since this load injects positive-, negative-, and zerosequence harmonic currents, both the LSC and the RSC are
modulated to sink harmonic currents components.
2) The wind speed is 18 m/s, corresponding to the maximum normalized rotor speed r /1 = 1.5 p.u. and consequent maximum fundamental power flow within the
WECS components.
3) For the assumed NLL and normalized rotor speed, it is
proved in that derating D =0.85 is necessary.
The software used for simulations is MATLAB/Simulink; a
fixed step solver is used, with time step T = 50 s.

 Two separate regions are identified.

1) 2 t 2.15 s (transient during the
fault).
The current pattern is determined by
DFIG demagnetization ;
2) t 2.15 s (transient following fault
clearance).
The peak current is obtained as the
sum of two contributions: DFIG
magnetization and phase shift
restoration between the fundamental voltage phasors at the PCC
and at the stator terminals.
The normalized peak stator current is
approximately 2.5 p.u., and it is
measured after fault clearance.

Since the transient dies out in a few

cycles and the heating process is
adiabatic, the power loss caused by this
fault is not detrimental for winding
insulation properties.
However, the large peak current causes
magnetic forces that may damage the
winding insulation.

 To assess the effects of AF operation

on WECS performance, the stator
current is monitored for the same fault
when the WECS is not providing
harmonic compensation.
Under this condition, the sinusoidal
rated stator current is supplied by the
generator, and derating is not applied.

Two regions can be identified;

however, the current waveform is
cleaner than the previous one, since
the stator is not injecting any
harmonic currents.
By comparing Figures, one concludes
that the peak current value is higher in
the case of sinusoidal operation.
This result is explained by observing
that derating is applied when CM is
implemented, thus causing a reduction
of the fundamental current amplitude
with respect to sinusoidal operation
both in steady-state operation and
during the transients

Symmetrical fault: normalized LSC current

oscillogram, compensation by means of CM is
applied

SYSTEM RESPONSE TO WIND SPEED

VARIATIONS
Assumptions to develop a mechanical model
During steady-state operation, wind speed is assumed constant;
consequently, turbine rotating speed is constant and mechanical system
dynamics does not affect WECS operation.
Since mechanical time constants are significantly larger than electrical time
constants, the mechanical system operation is not altered by the fast
transients

Mechanical model

Simulation
First, the mechanical system response to wind
speed variation is determined, and the torque and
speed applied at the generator are obtained
according to the model parameters.
Then, the solution of the electrical part of the
system is obtained by using r and Tr as input

Assumptions for case study 1

1) A major component with initial value equal to 14
m/s and a final value equal to 10 m/s. The transition
takes place between t = 5 s and t = 25 s;
2) A low frequency (f = 0.1 Hz) component with
amplitude equal to 0.1 m/s;
3) A random noise, with amplitude equal to 0.5 m/s
and f =500 Hz

Response of wind, speed, pitch angle, normalized active

power, normalized reactive power, normalized grid
current, and normalized voltage measured at the PCC

Assumption for case study 2

Wind speed increasing from 12 to 16 m/s for
2 t 3,
Pitch angle control is activated when wind
speed rises above 12 m/s,
is initially 1.7 and finally reached a new
steady state value of 13.50 in agreement

Response of wind, speed, pitch angle, normalized active

power, normalized reactive power, normalized grid current,
and normalized voltage measured at the PCC

Case study 3:

Conclusion
Harmonic compensation and transient response do not interfere.
This is due to the fact that in the block diagrams for the control of
the power converters, the fundamental current and voltage
reference signals are separated from the harmonic signals.
Voltage and wind speed variations contribute to determine the
behavior of the fundamental components only; the harmonic
currents flow results from the NLL characteristics. It has been
observed that derating implemented when harmonic compensation
is applied helps protecting the WECS during the transients.
LSC current is the quantity most severely affected by the transients
following voltage variations.
If derating is not applied, the use of a protection device is necessary
to protect the solid-state devices.
Reactive power regulation minimizes the voltage oscillations at the
PCC during wind speed transients: a reactive power regulator has
been designed to perform this opera-tion.

Conclusion
Other factors contribute to determine the transient response of a
WECS used as an AF, and they can be divided into three categories:
1) Electrical system: Phase jump during the fault has an important
role in determining the transient response and will require a
dedicated analysis, while NLL characteristics and reactive power
requirements affect steady-state operation and derating.
2) Mechanical system: Blade and generator inertia affect the
regulation of power absorption at high wind speed, thus impacting
the quality of electric energy injected in the grid following severe
wind speed variations.

Why standands?
A wind energy penetration over 15 per cent implies that wind power
could predominate over conventional generation at certain times.
The main operational problem then is that frequency regulation falls
on a narrower base of thermal plant.
There are eight basic issues to be considered by network and wind
farm planners.

Wind farm starting

Network voltage management
Thermal/active power management
Network power quality management
Transient system performance
Fault level issues
Information
Protection

Standards
There are several standards specifying various aspects grid
interconnection of a local power generation source. Arguably the most
important one is IEEE 1547.
IEEE 1547 has several parts:
Main body
IEEE Standard 1547.1 IEEE Standard Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment
Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems.
EEE Standard 1547.2 IEEE Application Guide for IEEE Std 1547, IEEE Standard for
Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems.
IEEE Standard 1547.3 IEEE Guide for Monitoring, Information Exchange, and Control of
Distributed Resources Interconnected with Electric Power Systems.
IEEE Standard 1547.4 IEEE Guide for Design, Operation, and Integration of Distributed
Resource Island Systems with Electric Power Systems.
IEEE Standard 1547.5 has not been issued, yet. Its intended scope is to address issues
when interconnecting electric power sources of more than 10 MVA to the power grid.
IEEE Standard 1547.6 IEEE Recommended Practice for Interconnecting Distributed
Resources with Electric Power Systems Distribution Secondary Networks.
IEEE Standard 1547.8 has not been issued, yet. Its intended scope is to provide
supplemental support for implementation methods for expanded use of the previous
standards, for example when addressing issues with high penetration of residential PV
systems.

Standards
Main provisions from IEEE 1547:
The micro-grid must not actively regulate the voltage at the PCC.
The grounding approach chosen for the local area power and energy system (LAPES) must
not create overvoltages that exceed the ratings of the equipment connected to the main grid or
must not affect ground fault protection coordination in the main grid.
The distributed resources in the LAPES must be able to parallel with the main grid without
causing voltage fluctuations at the PCC greater than 5% of the prevailing voltage level of the
Area electric power system (EPS) at the PCC and flicker must be within acceptable ranges.
The LAPES must not energized the main grid when the main grid is not energized.

Each distributed resource (DR) unit of 250 kVA or more or DR aggregate of 250 kVA or more
at a single PCC shall have provisions for monitoring its connection status, real power output,
reactive power output, and voltage at the point of DR connection.
A visible-break isolation device must be located between the main grid and a DR unit only
when required by the main grid provider practices.
The interconnection system must meet applicable surge and EMI standards.

Standards
Main provisions from IEEE 1547:
When a fault occurs in the main grid circuit to which a LAPES is connected, then the microgrid local power generation units must stop to power this circuit before reclosure from the main
grid happens.
The interconnection system must be able to measure relevant indicated voltages and
frequencies at the PCC or the point of connection of DR and disconnect within a given allowed
time all local power generating units in the micro-grid when these measured voltages or
frequencies fall within a range specified in a table in this standard. For example, when
voltages fall below 50 % of the base voltage, the LAPES must disconnect its DR within 0.16
seconds (one 60 Hz cycle). The time extends to 2 seconds for voltages between 50 and 88 %
of the base voltage. Disconnection must occur within 1 second if measured voltages are
between 110 and 120 % of the base voltage and within 0.16 seconds if the voltage exceeds
120 % of the base voltage. For frequency measurements, any DR of 30 kW or less must
disconnect 0.16 seconds if the measured frequency is above 60.5 Hz or below 59.3 Hz. The
same disconnect time applies for DR of more than 30 kW when the frequency exceeds 60.5
Hz, but for the lower range at these power levels disconnect within 0.16 seconds must occur if
the frequency falls below 57 Hz, whereas disconnection is adjustable between 0.16 and 300
Hz if the frequency falls between 59.8 and 57 Hz.
Reconnection of a LAPES to a main grid may occur at least 5 minutes after voltages and
frequency fall within indicated required ranges.

Standards
Main provisions from IEEE 1547:
Reconnection of a LAPES to a main grid may occur at least 5 minutes after voltages and
frequency fall within indicated required ranges.
A microgrid must not inject dc current greater than 0.5% of the full rated output current at
the PCC.
Harmonic current injection by the LAPES into the main grid measured at the PCC must not
exceed certain levels both in total and for given harmonic order ranges. The total demand
distortion must not be more than 5 % of the local main grid maximum load current integrated
demand (15 or 30 minutes) without the DR unit, or the DR unit rated current capacity,
whatever is greater. Base of this same base current, harmonic content for harmonics with an
odd order below 11 must not exceed 4 %. If the odd harmonic order is between 11 and 17 the
limit is 2 %, whereas this limit falls to 1.5 % for odd harmonics with an order between 17 and
23 and 0.6 % for odd harmonics with an order between 23 and 35. For odd harmonics with an
order above 35, the harmonic content with respect to the indicated current must not exceed
0.3 %. For even harmonics their content limits are a quarter of those indicated for the odd
harmonic orders.

Standards
Other important provisions from IEEE 1547.6 about network
protections (NP) on the grids side:
The presence of DR should not:
- cause any NP to exceed its fault-interrupting capability.

- cause any NP to operate more frequently than prior to DR operation.

- prevent or delay the NP from opening for faults on the network feeders.
- delay or prevent NP closure.
- require the NP settings to be adjusted except by consent of the area EPS
operator.

- cause an islanding condition within part of a grid network.