22-05-2013, 11:49 AM
Impacts of Wind Power on Power System Dynamics
Introduction
Wind energy is widely seen as one of the most cost-effective ways to generate electricity
from renewable sources. As a result, a tendency to erect ever more wind turbines can be
observed. Wind turbines may therefore in the future gradually start to replace the output of
conventional generators, especially during situations with a low load and high wind speeds.
When a substantial part of the output of conventional generators is to be replaced by
wind turbines, the overall behaviour of a power system and the operating practices will
change. For a correct operation of an electrical power system, it is essential that generation
and load are balanced and that system frequency and node voltages are kept within narrow
limits from their nominal values. Further, the dynamic and small signal stability of the
system must be assured. In all these issues, generators play an important role. It must
therefore be investigated if and in which way the technological differences between
conventional generators and wind turbines are reflected in their interaction with the
electrical power system and in which way they effect voltage and frequency control and
dynamic and small signal stability.