Optimal integration of an offshore wind farm to a weak AC grid

This paper studies the behavior of a high-voltage direct current link based on voltage-source converters, which feeds a weak ac network with power produced from an offshore wind farm (WF) of induction generators. Its control system, which is based on adaptive fuzzy controllers, manages to offer very satisfactory performance, without the need for a detailed mathematical model, but just prior knowledge of the behavior of the electrical system. Using the simulation program PSCAD/EMTDC, the study was performed under both steady-state and transient conditions. The results show that the link supplies the variable power of the WF to a weak grid, keeping the ac voltage fluctuations in the point of common coupling at an acceptable level. Moreover, due to the ability of the control system to adjust the stator frequency of the induction generators in relation to the wind velocity, maximum wind power acquisition is achieved.