Monte–Carlo analysis of wind farm lightning-surge transients aided by LINET lightning-detection network data

This paper presents a statistical method of analysis of wind farm lightning-surge transients, which employs a sophisticate wind farm high-frequency-transients model developed within the EMTP software package. The method features a Monte–Carlo simulation applied to the numerical analysis of wind farm lightning transients—which produces a statistical depiction of overvoltages distribution within the wind farm electrical network—that could be used in a statistical and semi-statistical methods of wind farm equipment insulation coordination, or it could assist in wind farm lightning risk management and surge protection optimisation. Wind farm lightning incidence is computed with the aid of the LINET lightning-detection network data, while at the same time accounting for the actual wind turbine geometry, exposure, and terrain topography (orography). Wind turbine effective height, in exposed locations, is determined from the physical postulates governing the initiation of lightning. Subsequently obtained wind farm equipment overvoltages are statistically described by means of the kernel density estimation procedure. The application of the proposed method on the actual onshore wind farm is provided in the paper as well.     

风电叶片接闪器腐蚀及其雷电试验研究

风力发电是一种大规模应用新能源,由于设备自身的特点,叶片容易遭受雷击,需安装接闪器进行雷电防护。根据叶片实际运行中遇到的接闪器大气腐蚀问题,研究了大气腐蚀的特点,归纳概括了常用铝合金材质叶片接闪器的腐蚀速率,并对接闪器1000 h盐雾腐蚀后的叶片进行雷电试验,评估接闪器腐蚀后的防雷性能。     

Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generated by offshore wind farms

For wind power generation offshore sites offer significantly better wind conditions compared to onshore. At the same time, the demand for raw materials and therefore the related environmental impacts increase due to technically more demanding wind energy converters and additional components (e.g. substructure) for the balance of plant. Additionally, due to environmental concerns offshore wind farms will be sited farshore (i.e. in deep water) in the future having a significant impact on the operation and maintenance efforts (O&M). Against this background the goal of this analysis is an assessment of the specific GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions as a function of the site conditions, the wind mill technology and the O&M necessities. Therefore, a representative offshore wind farm is defined and subjected to a detailed LCA (life cycle assessment). Based on parameter variations and modifications within the technical and logistical system, promising configurations regarding GHG emissions are determined for different site conditions. Results show, that all parameters related to the energy yield have a distinctive impact on the specific GHG emissions, whereas the distance to shore and the water depth affect the results marginally. By utilizing the given improvement potentials GHG emissions of electricity from offshore wind farms are comparable to those achieved onshore.     

避雷器安装方案对线路耐雷性能的影响研究

雷击跳闸是输电线路总故障跳闸的主要原因,安装线路避雷器是防止线路雷击跳闸的有效措施。为降低线路雷击跳闸率,提高线路安全性,利用电磁暂态计算程序(ATP-EMTP),采用绝缘子串和空气间隙先导法、修正电气几何法对一条500 kV单回线路未加装线路避雷器时的反击性能和绕击性能进行了仿真建模计算,对影响因素进行了分析,提出了避雷器的安装原则,对不同安装方案进行了对比研究。研究表明,线路避雷器可以有效提升线路的防雷性能,对水平布置的单回线路,防止反击时避雷器应重点安装在较高呼高、冲击接地电阻较大的杆塔两边相导线上,防止绕击时应重点安装在较高呼高、较大地面倾角时的下坡侧边相导线上。研究成果有助于指导线路避雷器安装的选点和设计工作。     

Application of Powell’s optimization method to surge arrester circuit models’ parameters

Powell’s optimization method has been used for the evaluation of the surge arrester models parameters. The proper modelling of metal-oxide surge arresters and the right selection of equivalent circuit parameters are very significant issues, since quality and reliability of lightning performance studies can be improved with the more efficient representation of the arresters’ dynamic behavior. The proposed approach selects optimum arrester model equivalent circuit parameter values, minimizing the error between the simulated peak residual voltage value and this given by the manufacturer. Application of the method in performed on a 120 kV metal oxide arrester. The use of the obtained optimum parameter values reduces significantly the relative error between the simulated and manufacturer’s peak residual voltage value, presenting the effectiveness of the method.     

Modeling and analysis of reactive power in grid‐connected onshore and offshore DFIG‐based wind farms

The analysis of reactive power for offshore and onshore wind farms connected to the grid through high‐voltage alternating‐current transmission systems is considered in this paper. The considered wind farm is made up with doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs). Modeling and improved analysis of the effective reactive power capability of DFIGs are provided. Particularly, the optimal power‐tracking constraints and other operational variables are considered in the modeling and analysis of the DFIG reactive power capability. Reactive power requirements for both overhead and cable transmission systems are modeled and compared with each other as well as with the reactive power capability of the wind farms. Possibility of unity power factor operation suggested by the German Electricity Association (VDEW) is investigated for both types of installations. Aggregate reactive power demands on both wind farms are assessed such that the bus voltages remain within an acceptable bandwidth considering various operational limits. The reactive power settings for both types of wind farm installations are determined. In addition, the minimum capacity and reactive power settings for reactive power compensation required for cable‐based installations are determined. Several numerical examples are given to illustrate the reactive power characteristics and capability of DFIGs, performance of transmission lines and reactive power analysis for DFIG‐based grid‐connected wind farms. A summary of the main outcomes of the work presented in this paper is provided in the conclusions section. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison of methods for assessing power output in non‐uniform onshore wind farms

Wind resource assessments are used to estimate a wind farm's power production during the planning process. It is important that these estimates are accurate, as they can impact financing agreements, transmission planning, and environmental targets. Here, we analyze the challenges in wind power estimation for onshore farms. Turbine wake effects are a strong determinant of farm power production. With given input wind conditions, wake losses typically cause downstream turbines to produce significantly less power than upstream turbines. These losses have been modeled extensively and are well understood under certain conditions. Most notably, validation of different model types has favored offshore farms. Models that capture the dynamics of offshore wind conditions do not necessarily perform equally as well for onshore wind farms. We analyze the capabilities of several different methods for estimating wind farm power production in 2 onshore farms with non‐uniform layouts. We compare the Jensen model to a number of statistical models, to meteorological downscaling techniques, and to using no model at all. We show that the complexities of some onshore farms result in wind conditions that are not accurately modeled by the Jensen wake decay techniques and that statistical methods have some strong advantages in practice.     

Assessment of lightning current parameters suitable for wind turbine overvoltage protection analysis

A selection procedure for determining the lightning current parameters, suitable for wind turbine overvoltage protection analysis, will be presented in this paper. It will be based on the mathematical model that accounts for the wind turbine geometry, keraunic level, statistical distribution of lightning current parameters and correlation between statistical variables defining lightning current waveshape. Theoretical analysis will be backed up by the most recent propositions of parameters that define statistical distributions and thereafter applied on the concrete wind turbine example. Subsequently, obtained results would provide insight into the selection procedure for the lightning current parameters (i.e., amplitude, front duration, wave duration and polarity), associated with lightning stroke incidence to wind turbines. Emphases will be given to the modern new‐generation wind turbines. This selection procedure could be subsequently applied in the analysis (and design) of the wind turbine and wind farm overvoltage protection, with emphasis on the so‐called back‐surge phenomenon. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Life cycle assessment of the offshore wind farm alpha ventus

Due to better wind conditions at sea, offshore wind farms have the advantage of higher electricity production compared to onshore and inland wind farms. In contrast, a greater material input, leading to increased energy consumptions and emissions during the production phase, is required to build offshore wind farms. These contrary effects are investigated for the first German offshore wind farm alpha ventus in the North Sea. In a life cycle assessment its environmental influence is compared to that of Germany’s electricity mix.In comparison to the mix, alpha ventus had better indicators in nearly every investigated impact category. One kilowatt-hour electricity, generated by the wind farm, was burdened with 0.137 kWh Primary Energy-Equivalent and 32 g CO₂-Equivalent, which represented only a small proportion of the accordant values for the mix. Furthermore, the offshore foundations as well as the submarine cable were the main energy intensive components. The energetic and greenhouse gas payback period was less than one year.Therefore, offshore wind power, even in deep water, is compatible with the switch to sustainable electricity production relying on renewable energies. Additional research, taking backup power plants as well as increasingly required energy storage systems into account, will allow further calculation.     

Guidelines for assessment of investment cost for offshore wind generation

Offshore wind generation represents a key element for development of renewable energy, thanks to higher availability of energy source and lower presence of constraints. However, the feasibility of offshore wind farms has to be carefully evaluated, due to remarkable economical efforts required. In this paper, economic issues concerning costs in pre-investment and investment stages for offshore wind farms exploiting alternating-current transmission system are analysed. Single cost centres are detailed, taking into account technical features and current equipment exploitation. The aim is to formulate a general model to evaluate the total investment depending on wind farm layout. The model is employed to determine the most suitable connection solution for a 150-MW test wind farm, accounting for different connection schemes and the presence of an offshore or onshore substation. Further tests are run to evaluate cost variation for larger wind farms with different nominal voltage levels.     

Wind energy deployment in wind farm aging context. Appraising an onshore wind farm enlargement project: A contingent valuation study in the Center of Italy

In many European countries, the most suitable onshore sites for wind installations are almost fully engaged. Furthermore, the existing onshore wind farm capacity should be replaced in the next 10 years because the existing wind power plants are progressively aging in terms of depreciation, degradation and technological obsolescence. Without an adequate policy intervention, the Italian installed wind power capacity would return to the size of 2011 by 2030. In this scenario, the main opportunity for further growth in wind energy generation is wind farm enlargement. The aim of this paper is to assess the welfare change due to the proposed enlargement project. First, we investigate whether existing wind farms affect respondents' attitude and perception toward the potential enlargement of the wind farm by using the contingent valuation method. Second, we investigate the perception of the risk associated with the enlargement of a wind farm. In this case, we explicitly consider respondents' heterogeneity in perceiving the new project externalities. To achieve this objective, we use willingness to pay and willingness to accept measure to appraise welfare change due to the enlargement project. Each of these measures has been elicited jointly regarding the respective appraised externality impact perceived by the respondents. The individual and aggregate findings of this research can offer useful insights for planning and design enlargement schemes to achieve further growth in wind energy generation.     

Validation of a double fed induction generator wind turbine model and wind farm verification following the Spanish grid code

Wind turbine manufacturers are required by transmission system operators for fault ride‐through capability as the penetration of wind energy in the electrical systems grows. For this reason, testing and modeling of wind turbines and wind farms are required by the national grid codes to verify the fulfillment of this capability. Therefore, wind turbine models are required to simulate the evolution of voltage, current, reactive and active power during faults. The simulation results obtained from these wind turbine models are used for verification, validation and certification against the real wind turbines measurement results, although evolution of electrical variables during the fault and its clearance is not easy to fulfill. The purpose of this paper is to show the different stages involved in the fulfillment of the procedure of operation for fault ride‐through capability of the Spanish national grid code (PO 12.3) and the ‘procedure for verification, validation and certification of the requirements of the PO 12.3 on the response of wind farms in the event of voltage dips’. The process has been applied to a wind farm composed of Gamesa G52 wind turbines, and the results obtained are presented. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Developing and applying a GIS-assisted approach to evaluate visual impact in wind farms

Wind energy represents one of the most important renewable resources. Wind energy is a clean, renewable and its benefits are considered greater than the disadvantages. However, even though wind farms represent environmentally friendly projects, they frequently generate public resistance.One of the main disadvantages of wind farm construction projects is their poor aesthetic integration into the landscape. On the other hand, landscape impact of wind farms could be minimised if the visual impact is previously evaluated.As regards with the European legislation, the procedure of environmental impact assessment study is necessary before a wind farm project could be established. In contrast, there is not an objective methodology to assess the visual impact of wind farms.The aim of this work was to develop a methodology to predict and evaluate, before its construction, the visual impact of wind farms, taking into account the visualscape from different observation points.Proposed methodology could help to determine and evaluate the best location for new wind farm projects. Moreover, this method could be used as a consulting tool for public organization and private institutions, being quick, concise and clear.     

Life cycle assessment of a wind farm and related externalities

This paper concentrates on the assessment of energy and emissions related to the production and manufacture of materials for an offshore wind farm as well as a wind farm on land based on a life cycle analysis (LCA) model. In Denmark a model has been developed for life cycle assessments of different materials. The model is able to assess the energy use related to the production, transportation and manufacture of 1 kg of material. The energy use is divided into fuels used in order to estimate the emissions through the life cycle. In the paper the model and the attached assumptions are described, and the model is demonstrated for two wind farms. The externalities for the wind farms are reported, showing the importance of life cycle assessment for renewable energy technologies.     

Resonant overvoltage assessment in offshore wind farms via a parametric black‐box wind turbine transformer model

The protection of offshore wind farms (OWFs) against overvoltages, especially resonant overvoltage, is of paramount importance because of poor accessibility and high repair costs. In this paper, we study how switching overvoltages at the wind turbine transformer (WTT) medium voltage (MV) side can lead to high overvoltages on the low voltage (LV) side. The effect of overvoltage protective devices is analyzed. A detailed model of an OWF row is developed in electromagnetic transients program–alternative transients program (EMTP‐ATP), including interconnecting cables, WTT, surge arresters and resistive–capacitive filters. A parameterized black‐box WTT model is obtained from measurements and is used for investigating the transfer of resonant overvoltages from the MV to the LV side. The model is capable of shifting systematically the frequencies and adjusting the transformer input impedance. Simulation results show that wind turbine energization in an OWF can lead to overvoltages on the LV terminals. The rate of rise of overvoltages (du/dt) is in the range of 300–500 pu/µs. It is found that resistive–capacitive filters should be installed on both MV and LV terminals of WTTs to decrease both resonant overvoltages and du/dt, which is unachievable by surge arrester alone. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application analysis of a superconducting fault current limiter-magnetic energy storage system for the wind farm

风力发电所面临的两大重要问题是低电压穿越能力弱和功率输出不稳定。为了同时解决这两个问题,我们提出了超导限流-储能系统,并进行了单机系统的仿真研究,证实了该方案的有效性。然而对于风电场的应用,目前尚无研究。本文将超导限流-储能系统的应用扩展到风电场,分析了其提高低电压穿越能力和稳定有功功率输出的机理,并进行了仿真研究。从仿真结果来看,超导限流-储能系统能够同时提高风电场所有风机的低电压穿越能力,并能有效地平滑整个风电场的有功输出功率。考虑不同风机的互补效应,将该系统应用于风力发电场与直接应用于单台风机相比,其储能量和功率输出的要求可以大大降低,从而可以有效地减少系统总成本,因而具有更好的应用前景。     

A new method for spatial allocation of turbines in a wind farm based on lightning protection efficiency

Existing studies of the spatial allocation of wind farms are typically based on turbine power generation efficiency and rarely consider the damage caused by lightning strikes. However, lightning damage seriously affects the economic performance of wind farms because of the high cost of repairing or replacing damaged blades. This paper proposes a method for the spatial optimization of multiple turbines based on lightning protection dependability. Firstly, the lightning protection efficiency of turbine blade protection systems is analyzed by combining the physical mechanisms of lightning leader progression with a conventional electro‐geometric model to develop an electro‐geometric model of turbine blades (EGMTB). Then, the optimized spatial allocation of multiple turbines in a wind farm is investigated using the EGMTB. The results are illustrated from an example wind farm with 1.5 MW turbines, which shows that the optimal spacing between two turbines perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction L_⊥ is 4R‐6R, where R is the length of a turbine blade. This spacing is shown to effectively shield turbine blades from lightning damage over a wide range of lightning currents (>26‐60 kA). Note that, the suggested L_⊥ will be smaller considering the influence of lightning polarity as it takes more difficulty developing upward leader (UL) in the condition of positive lightning striking. Experiments verify the effectiveness and correctness of this method.     

The impact of land use constraints in multi-objective energy-noise wind farm layout optimization

Recently the environmental impact of onshore wind farms is receiving major attention from both governments and wind farm designers. As land is more extensively exploited for wind farms, it is more likely for wind turbines to be in proximity with human dwellings, infrastructure (e.g. roads, transmission lines), and natural habitats (e.g. rivers, lakes, forests). This proximity makes significant portions of land unusable for the designers, introducing a set of land-use constraints. In this study, we conduct a constrained and continuous-variable multi-objective optimization that considers energy and noise as its objective functions, based on Jensen's wake model and the ISO-9613-2 noise standard. A stochastic evolutionary algorithm (NSGA-II) solves the optimization problem, while the land-use constraints are handled with static and dynamic penalty functions. Results of this study illustrate the effect of constraint severity and spatial distribution of unusable land on the trade-off between energy generation and noise production.     

Coordinate control strategy for stability operation of offshore wind farm integrated with Diode-rectifier HVDC

Due to low investment cost and high reliability, a new scheme called DR-HVDC (Diode Rectifier based HVDC) transmission was recently proposed for grid integration of large offshore wind farms. However, in this scheme, the application of conventional control strategies for stability operation face several challenges due to the uncontrollability of the DR. In this paper, a coordinated control strategy of offshore wind farms using the DR-HVDC transmission technology to connect with the onshore grid, is investigated. A novel coordinated control strategy for DR-HVDC is proposed based on the analysis of the DC current control ability of the full-bridge-based modular multilevel converter (FB-MMC) at the onshore station and the input and output characteristics of the diode rectifier at the offshore. Considering the characteristics of operation stability and decoupling between reactive power and active power, a simplified design based on double-loop droop control for offshore AC voltage is proposed after power flow and voltage–current (I–V) characteristics of the offshore wind farm being analyzed. Furthermore, the impact of onshore AC fault to offshore wind farm is analyzed, and a fast fault detection and protection strategy without relying on communication is proposed. Case studies carried out by PSCAD/EMTDC verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy for the start up, power fluctuation, and onshore and offshore fault conditions.     

Optimization of turbine design in wind farms with multiple hub heights,using exact analytic gradients and structural constraints

Wind farms are generally designed with turbines of all the same hub height. If wind farms were designed with turbines of different hub heights, wake interference between turbines could be reduced, lowering the cost of energy (COE). This paper demonstrates a method to optimize onshore wind farms with two different hub heights using exact, analytic gradients. Gradient‐based optimization with exact gradients scales well with large problems and is preferable in this application over gradient‐free methods. Our model consisted of the following: a version of the FLOw Redirection and Induction in Steady‐State wake model that accommodated three‐dimensional wakes and calculated annual energy production, a wind farm cost model, and a tower structural model, which provided constraints during optimization. Structural constraints were important to keep tower heights realistic and account for additional mass required from taller towers and higher wind speeds. We optimized several wind farms with tower height, diameter, and shell thickness as coupled design variables. Our results indicate that wind farms with small rotors, low wind shear, and closely spaced turbines can benefit from having two different hub heights. A nine‐by‐nine grid wind farm with 70‐meter rotor diameters and a wind shear exponent of 0.08 realized a 4.9% reduction in COE by using two different tower sizes. If the turbine spacing was reduced to 3 diameters, the reduction in COE decreased further to 11.2%. Allowing for more than two different turbine heights is only slightly more beneficial than two heights and is likely not worth the added complexity.