An aggregate model of a grid-connected, large-scale, offshore wind farm for power stability investigations—importance of windmill mechanical system

Abstract

An aggregate model of a large-scale offshore wind farm, comprising 72 wind turbines of 2 MW rating each, is set up. Representation of the shaft systems of the wind turbines shall be taken into account when a simplified aggregate model of the wind farm is used in voltage stability investigations. Because the shaft system gives a soft coupling between the rotating wind turbine and the induction generator, the large-scale wind farm cannot always be reduced to one-machine equivalent and use of multi-machine equivalents will be necessary for reaching accuracy of the investigation results. This will be in cases with irregular wind distribution over the wind farm area. The torsion mode of the shaft systems of large wind turbines is commonly in the range of 1–2 Hz and close to typical values of the electric power grid eigenfrequencies why there is a risk of oscillation between the wind turbines and the entire network. All these phenomena are different compared to previous experiences with modelling of conventional power plants with synchronous generators and stiff shaft systems.