Power quality issues in Puttalam grid substation due to wind power generation : a case study

Abstract

Wind power as a rule does not contribute to voltage in grids. Also, wind power very often is a source of voltage fluctuations and flicker. Furthermore, care must be taken to upkeep availability of networks more or less dependent on wind power by preventing the voltage from collapsing in conjunction with faults occurring in the grid. The operation of wind turbines has an impact on the power quality of the connected grid. Depending on the grid configuration and the type of wind turbine used, different power quality problems may arise. All wind turbines have an uneven power production following the natural variations of the wind. If the wind turbine is operating at fixed-speed, the tower shadow and wind speed gradients will result in fluctuating power. The power fluctuations caused by the turbine may cause flicker disturbances. In order to evaluate the significance of flicker, measurements and subsequent flicker calculations must be performed. In the case of variable-speed wind turbines, one drawback is the injection of harmonic currents into the grid. Depending on the type of inverter used, different orders of harmonics are produced. The objective of the research is to analyze the problem of voltage and current harmonics, transient behaviour, power fluctuation and reactive power consumption of Puttalam wind power generators. This study will conduct a detail study and to identify the power quality issues due to integration of wind plants to Puttalam GSS.