Potential of Slip Synchronous Wind Turbine Systems: Grid Support and Mechanical Load Mitigation

Dillan Kyle Ockhuis and Maarten Kamper
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Dillan Kyle Ockhuis: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
Maarten Kamper: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-15

Abstract: Wind power penetration into existing electrical power systems continues to experience year-on-year growth. Consequently, modern wind turbine systems (WTS) are required to comply with relevant grid codes and provide ancillary grid services to assist with overall grid stability. Adhering to these grid codes and services can cause additional mechanical loading on WTS, which can result in a reduction in service life of some of the drivetrain components, and instability if a sufficient means of damping is not present in the drivetrain. In this paper, a dynamic simulation model of a Type 1, direct grid-connected, fixed-speed (FS) slip-synchronous wind turbine system (SS-WTS) is developed to investigate its dynamic stability in response to the additional mechanical loads imparted onto it during transient events on the grid. The SS-WTS is not equipped with a power converter and, consequently, an understanding of its dynamic stability is critical to evaluate its ability to assist with grid services and maintain stability during transient grid conditions such as low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) events. An analytical transfer function model of a 1.5 MW geared direct grid-connected SS-WTS was derived and implemented in MATLAB/Simulink. It was found that the SS technology provides significant damping to the WTS drivetrain while maintaining dynamic stability during a severe LVRT event. Moreover, it was found that the degree of damping is directly proportional to the value of rated slip, and that high-speed drivetrains provide a greater degree of damping for a given value of rated slip. Furthermore, it is shown that the SS-WTS has the ability to assist with grid services such as primary frequency response, short-circuit strength, and reactive power compensation.

Keywords: wind power generation; grid services; stability; power systems; short-circuit strength (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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