Due to the stochastic nature of wind, electric power generated by wind turbines is highly erratic and may affect both the power quality and the planning of power systems. Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) may play an important role in wind power applications by controlling wind power plant output and providing ancillary services to the power system and therefore, enabling an increased penetration of wind power in the system. This article deals with the review of several energy storage technologies for wind power applications. The main objectives of the article are the introduction of the operating principles, as well as the presentation of the main characteristics of energy storage technologies suitable for stationary applications, and the definition and discussion of potential ESS applications in wind power, according to an extensive literature review.

A review of energy storage technologies for wind power applications

A tendency to erect ever more wind turbines can be observed in order to reduce the environmental consequences of electric power generation. As a result of this, in the near future, wind turbines may start to influence the behavior of electric power systems by interacting with conventional generation and loads. Therefore, wind turbine models that can be integrated into power system simulation software are needed. In this contribution, a model that can be used to represent all types of variable speed wind turbines in power system dynamics simulations is presented. First, the modeling approach is commented upon and models of the subsystems of which a variable speed wind turbine consists are discussed. Then, some results obtained after incorporation of the model in PSS/E, a widely used power system dynamics simulation software package, are presented and compared with measurements.

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General model for representing variable speed wind turbines in power system dynamics simulations

Energy storage for mitigating the variability of renewable electricity sources: An updated review

A wind-generator (WG) maximum-power-point-tracking (MPPT) system is presented, consisting of a high-efficiency buck-type dc/dc converter and a microcontroller-based control unit running the MPPT function. The advantages of the proposed MPPT method are that no knowledge of the WG optimal power characteristic or measurement of the wind speed is required and the WG operates at a variable speed. Thus, the system features higher reliability, lower complexity and cost, and less mechanical stress of the WG. Experimental results of the proposed system indicate near-optimal WG output power, increased by 11%-50% compared to a WG directly connected via a rectifier to the battery bank. Thus, better exploitation of the available wind energy is achieved, especially under low wind speeds.

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Design of a maximum power tracking system for wind-energy-conversion applications

Multimegawatt wind-turbine systems, often organized in a wind park, are the backbone of the power generation based on renewable-energy systems. This paper reviews the most-adopted wind-turbine systems, the adopted generators, the topologies of the converters, the generator control and grid connection issues, as well as their arrangement in wind parks.

Overview of Multi-MW Wind Turbines and Wind Parks

Wind energy is a viable option to complement other types of pollution-free generation. In the early development of wind energy, the majority of wind turbines were operated at constant speed. Recently, the number of variable-speed wind turbines installed in wind farms has increased and more wind turbine manufacturers are making variable-speed wind turbines. This paper covers the operation of variable-speed wind turbines with pitch control. The system the authors considered is controlled to generate maximum energy while minimizing loads. The maximization of energy was only carried out on a static basis and only drive train loads were considered as a constraint. In medium wind speeds, the generator and power converter control the wind turbine to capture maximum energy from the wind. In the high wind speed region, the wind turbine is controlled to maintain the aerodynamic power produced by the wind turbine. Two methods to adjust the aerodynamic power were investigated: pitch control and generator load control, both of which are employed to control the operation of the wind turbine. The authors analysis and simulation shows that the wind turbine can be operated at its optimum energy capture while minimizing the load on the wind turbine for a wide range of wind speeds.

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Pitch-controlled variable-speed wind turbine generation

In this paper, we illustrate the effect of adding a hypothetical 100-MW doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind power plant to a weak transmission system. The effects of various wind plant load factors (100, 60 and 25% of nameplate rating) are investigated. System performance is compared to a 100-MW conventional synchronous generator interconnected at the same location. The conventional generator is installed some distance away. The simulations demonstrated that DFIG generators provide a good damping performance under these conditions. These results support the conclusion that modern wind power plants, equipped with power electronics and low-voltage ride-through capability, can be interconnected to weak power grids without reducing stability. To conduct the studies, we selected an area of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council power system that is electrically far from major generation centers and is weakly connected to the bulk transmission system. The area contains large motor loads. We observed the dynamic response of large motors in the vicinity, especially their ability to ride through fault events. The studies were conducted using positive sequence phasor time-domain analysis

Effect of Variable Speed Wind Turbine Generator on Stability of a Weak Grid

This paper focuses on our effort to develop an equivalent representation of a wind power plant collector system for power system planning studies.

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Equivalencing the Collector System of a Large Wind Power Plant: Preprint

As the size and number of wind power plants (also called wind farms) increases, power system planners will need to study their impact on the power system in more detail. As the level of wind power penetration into the grid increases, the transmission system integration requirements becomes more critical. A very large wind power plant may contain hundreds of megawatt-size wind turbines. These turbines are interconnected by an intricate collector system. While the impact of individual turbines on the larger power system network is minimal, collectively, wind turbines can have a significant impact on the power systems during a severe disturbance such as a nearby fault. Since it is not practical to represent all individual wind turbines to conduct simulations, a simplified equivalent representation is required. This paper focuses on our effort to develop an equivalent representation of a wind power plant collector system for power system planning studies. The layout of the wind power plant, the size and type of conductors used, and the method of delivery (overhead or buried cables) all influence the performance of the collector system inside the wind power plant. Our effort to develop an equivalent representation of the collector system for wind power plants is an attempt to simplify power system modeling for future developments or planned expansions of wind power plants. Although we use a specific large wind power plant as a case study, the concept is applicable for any type of wind power plant.

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Equivalencing the collector system of a large wind power plant

Permanent-magnet generators have been used for wind turbines for many years. Many small wind turbine manufacturers use direct-drive permanent-magnet generators. For wind turbine generators, the design philosophy must cover the following characteristics: low cost; light weight; low speed; high torque; and variable speed generation. The generator is easy to manufacture and the design can be scaled up for a larger size without major retooling. A modular permanent-magnet generator with axial flux direction was chosen. The permanent magnet used is NdFeB or ferrite magnet with flux guide to focus flux density in the air gap. Each unit module of the generator may consist of one, two or more phases. Each generator can be expanded to two or more unit modules. Each unit module is built from simple modular poles. The stator winding is formed like a torus. Thus, the assembly process is simplified and the winding insertion in the slot is less tedious. The authors built a prototype of one unit module and performed preliminary tests in their laboratory. Follow up tests will be conducted in the lab to improve the design.

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C.P. Butterfield

Papers

Pitch-controlled variable-speed wind turbine generation

Effect of Variable Speed Wind Turbine Generator on Stability of a Weak Grid

Equivalencing the Collector System of a Large Wind Power Plant: Preprint

Equivalencing the collector system of a large wind power plant

Axial flux, modular, permanent-magnet generator with a toroidal winding for wind turbine applications