Frequency Control in Power Systems with High Wind Power Penetration

The fluctuating nature of wind power introduces several challenges to reliable operation of power system. With high wind power penetration, conventional power plants are displaced and wind speed fluctuations introduce large power imbalances which lead to power system frequency control and operational problems. This paper analyses the impact of wind power in the frequency control of power systems for different amount of controllable variable speed wind turbines. Real measurements of short term wind power impact tests in a power system are shown and used to study the amount of total regulating power needed from conventional power plants. Dynamic simulations with validated model of the power system support the studies. The paper also presents control concepts for wind power plants necessary to achieve characteristic of frequency response and active power balancing similarly to conventional power plants, therefore allowing higher wind power penetration. As the power system dependency on wind power increases, wind power generation has to contribute with dynamic response and control actions similarly to conventional power plants.