Correlation between frequency response and short-circuit performance due to high wind penetration

Participation of wind energy along with conventional fuel sources in power generation is progressively rising in many countries. Due to continuous development of large-scale wind farms, some synchronous generators are being economically displaced from generation schedule. Modern wind turbine generators do not generally provide frequency control support after a disturbance, while during a fault they usually generate a current, which is close to their rated current value. Thus, presence of substantial wind generation in a system may impose a challenge in maintaining adequate frequency response. Moreover, it may result in low short-circuit ratio at the grid connection point of wind farms. Inadequate frequency response and low short-circuit ratio may create a concern for secured operation of a power system. Both frequency response and short-circuit level primarily depend on the number of committed synchronous generators. Hence, there may be a certain relation between these two system performance indicators. This paper investigates a correlation between frequency response and short-circuit performance due to high penetration of wind power. A case study of an Australian power system is presented.