Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Innovating the Future of Wind Power Plants: A Comprehensive Investigation into Fault Ride-Through Solutions By Grid-Forming Control

Project description

Generating fault ride-through solutions to keep wind power plants on the grid

Meeting ambitious EU renewable energy targets by 2030 requires the swift transition and smooth integration of renewable sources. However, one major challenge is overcoming weak short-circuit capacity and low synchronous inertia that make power systems less stable and more susceptible to disruption. Wind power plants (WPPs) in particular need fault ride-through (FRT) capability to ensure grid stability during faults. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the InnoWindFaultRiForm project aims to develop and validate nonlinear FRT control solutions for grid-forming (GFM) WPPs. It will model and assess GFM-WPPs’ behaviour during grid faults, such as voltage dips, frequency changes and phase jumps, as well as evaluate FRT performance in low inertia grids to develop effective strategies.

Objective

In March 2023, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement to increase the binding renewable energy target to at least 42.5% by 2030. This necessitates a swift transition from synchronous generator power plants to renewable energy sources, creating a challenge of lower short circuit capacity (SCC) and low synchronous inertia.
This reduction leads to a less stable power system and increased vulnerability to disturbances. To address this issue, wind power plants (WPP) are required to have Fault Ride Through (FRT) capability, which would enable them to ride through faults and contribute to the stability of the grid. FRT for WPPs becomes vital to ensure grid stability during faults. Our project aims to develop robust nonlinear FRT control solutions for grid-forming (GFM) WPPs. We will investigate their performance during grid faults, considering voltage dips, frequency changes, and phase jumps. Our work is highly relevant to the program as it addresses the increasing demand for stable renewable energy integration. Our objectives are:
-Analysis and Modeling: Analyze and model GFM-WPPs' behavior during faults, understanding grid requirements and assessing GFM capabilities.
-Dynamics in Low Inertia Grids: Explore FRT achievement in low SCC, low inertia grids, identifying factors and tuning control loops.
-Nonlinear Solutions: Develop nonlinear FRT control strategies, focusing on stability and synchronization during faults.
-Laboratory Verification: Validate the proposed FRT approach using emulated WPPs to enhance understanding.
These objectives align with the program's goal of advancing renewable energy integration and grid stability, pushing the boundaries of current research. Through interdisciplinary approaches, we integrate power systems, power electronics, nonlinear control theory, and renewables, addressing the complex challenges of WPPs during grid faults.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

AALBORG UNIVERSITET
Net EU contribution
€ 230 774,40
Address
FREDRIK BAJERS VEJ 7K
9220 Aalborg
Denmark
Region
Danmark Nordjylland Nordjylland
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data