Wind Plant Modeling and Interconnection
Systems Integration researchers at NREL are engaged in wind plant modeling and interconnection analysis as explained below.
The program is working with the wind industry to provide utilities and grid operation organizations that evaluate interconnection and system impacts of proposed wind farms with better wind generator electrical output models. Without better wind generator models, the grid evaluations will use generic induction generator parameters. By using non-wind-specific models, these evaluations will not capture the advantages of variable-speed power electronics, including their ability to provide VARs (i.e., volt-amperes reactive) and their fault ride-through capability. Without these better models, the amounts of wind capacity that will be allowed access to transmission interconnection because of concerns about system impact will be unnecessarily low.
NREL's wind plant modeling efforts have included collecting wind plant output data with corresponding wind resource data (speed, direction, and air density) from on-site meteorological towers and performing multivariate analysis of the data to develop an equivalent wind plant power curve. NREL has been working with the wind industry and other national laboratories to compare its approach and developed model with those developed by major vendors in the market. NREL has also been collecting and maintaining a database of long-term wind power data from large commercial wind power plants in various regions. Analysis of extreme ramping events has been performed to examine the rarely occurring events (once or twice a year) that will significantly impact system operations if not forecasted accurately. These efforts contribute to a better understanding of how wind plants can impact grid stability and reliability.
NREL is also looking at the further advantages that wind power can bring to the power system in terms of frequency and voltage control. In particular, NREL researchers are testing how wind turbines can provide active power control to help stabilize the system frequency and reduce the imbalance error that occurs on the system. The research will evaluate the economic benefit, impact on steady-state power system operations, and the transient response of the system with different types of active power control contributions from wind power. Lastly, research will be conducted using actual wind turbines to understand their capabilities and quality of providing these responses.
Learn about wind plant modeling and interconnection projects.
