Large Scale Integration of Wind Power and the Impact on Power Systems

Integration of large scale wind power into weak power systems raises several questions that must be clarified Typically these include the practical connection to the network, integration with to the network system, system stability, system operation, necessary installations and extensions of the network etc. At the same time, careful attention as to which functional requirements such wind forms should meet in order to enhance system responses must be made. Different wind power technologies have different characteristics and control possibilities. In this paper, three technologies have been studied with respect to their dynamic performance, and a transient stability study has been performed in order to illustrate the differences in the three technologies. The results clearly show that there are differences in behavior and in control possibilities. Hence, there are also differences in how well they can meet functional requirements. When discussing to what degree strict requirements should be imposed on wind power, it should be kept in mind that some requirements can be met with small or moderate costs, while others may v be expensive or difficult to meet. Some requirements may also mean reduction in generation, and hence revenues. Rather than imposing strict requirements on wind turbines as such, ancillary services should be met in the most suited way. It is not obvious that the same requirements should apply to wind power in hydro power dominated systems compared to, for instance, in systems with large share of nuclear or thermal power. It may well be cheaper to add primary power control and system stabilizing equipment in other power plants or grid points than in many small wind turbine generators. General conclusions cat; trot be made on this, but the issue should be the focal point of system operators everywhere.