Impact of wind turbine control strategies on voltage performance

This study examines the 2013 Irish electricity network and its ability to accommodate large levels of wind generation while maintaining appropriate voltage levels across the system. The network provides a fully functional test system that is suitable for large scale power flow and dynamic simulations. In the next decade, wind generation is expected to constitute large percentage of the country’s new renewable generation portfolio due to the rich wind resource available in Ireland. As wind penetration grows, larger levels of conventional generation will be displaced and there will be an increased need to provide both voltage and frequency stability support. Many wind turbines have the capability to perform certain mitigation tasks such as reactive power support; in particular, this study will examine the wind turbine’s ability to provide terminal voltage control in order to improve the system’s voltage performance. This will be achieved using steady-state power flow analysis with historical loading patterns while taking into account the inherent variability of the wind resource. It will show that increased application of terminal voltage control strategies will allow for more robust voltages both locally and systemically.