Power quality of wind turbine generating systems and their interaction with the grid

Objective

This project sets out to understand the interaction between a wind turbine generating system (WTGS) and the Electrical grid to which it is connected.
Turbines may be in the form of farms, clusters or isolated machines whilst the grid can vary in stiffness from strong to isolated systems. Unlike other power plant WTGS cannot respond to consumer demand but are controlled by the nature of the wind which is highly variable. Thus the standard definitions of power quality for electrical power plant do not necessarily apply to WTGS.

The overall objectives of the project are:
- To identify the technical issues involved in defining power quality. - To measure and analyse the power quality of typical turbine generating systems in grids of varying stiffness.
- To perform a comparative survey of typical existing installations to identify the nature of the interaction between the WTGS and the grid. - To create a common technical basis for the prediction and measurement of power quality.


The aim of this study is to increase understanding of the interaction between a wind turbine generating system and the electrical grid. Throughout the European Community, the introduction of wind turbines onto electrical networks can potentially reduce power quality to levels unacceptable to the host utility. Problems can arise even on strong grids when large numbers of turbines are clustered closely together. The introduction of new generation variable-speed turbines having frequency conversion electronics will lead to greater problems.

The starting point will be the development of common assessment and measurement procedures and the identification of wind turbines or wind farm sites throughout the European Community where measurements have been made.
Data measurement programmes will be undertaken on stiff, weak and stand-alone rural grids and will include wind farms in areas of high resource and complex topography. The usefulness of existing analysis packages will be appraised by comparing their predictions with the real data.

The results of this project will permit the prediction and subsequent measurement of the interactions of wind turbines with grids of varying stiffness. The work will be performed by a variety of European Institutes, Universities and Utilities, in order to obtain best use of their expertise. The work is pre-competitive in nature and is regarded as an essential step in the integration of wind turbine systems on to the grid.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering › electrical engineering › power engineering › electric power distribution
• natural sciences › physical sciences › astronomy › planetary sciences › planetary geology

Programme(s)

• FP3-JOULE 2 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of non-nuclear energy, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 030202 - Generic wind energy R&D

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

National Engineering and Assessment Group Ltd

Address

Scottish Enterprise Techical Park
G15 0QR Glasgow
United Kingdom

Participants (8)

Chalmers University of Technology AB

Sweden

Address

3,elektrovägen
412 96 Göteborg

DEUTSCHES WINDENERGIE - INSTITUT GMBH

Germany

Address

Ebert Strasse 96
Wilhelmshaven

Darup Associates Aps

Denmark

Address

399,frederiksborgvej
4000 Roskilde

ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE OF THE NETHERLANDS

Netherlands

Address

Westerduinweg 3
Petten

Links

Public Power Corporation of Greece

Greece

Address

10,navarinou Street
10680 Athens

RISOE NATIONAL LABORATORY

Denmark

Address

Frederiksborgvej 399
Roskilde

Sciotech

United Kingdom

Address

9 Heathwood Yateley
GU17 7TP Camberley

University of the West of England

United Kingdom

Address

Coldharbour Lane Frenchay
BS16 1QY Bristol