WECCWind Plant Power Flow Modeling Guide
WECCWind Plant Power Flow Modeling Guide
Guide
File Name WECCWindPlantPowerFlowModelingGuide.pdf
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Document date May 19, 2010
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Date adopted/approved May 2008
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WECC Guideline:
WECC Wind Power Plant Power Flow Modeling Guide
Date: 5/2008
Introduction
This guideline provides guidance for aggregating wind power plants for power flow modeling.
Approved By:
Approving Committee, Entity or Person Date
WECC Modeling and Validation Work Group May 2008
Western Electricity Coordinating Council
Modeling and Validation Work Group
Prepared by
WECC Wind Generator Modeling Group
May 2008
2. Brief Background
2.1 Wind Power Plant Topology
A wind power plant (WPP) consists of many individual wind turbine generators (WTGs) tied to a
medium voltage collector system, and connected to the transmission system at the interconnection
point. Modern utility-scale WTGs have nameplate rating ranging from 1 MW to 4 MW. Terminal
voltage is about 600 V. A step-up transformer, generally a pad-mounted unit, connects each WTG to a
medium-voltage collector system operating at 12 kV to 34.5 kV. The collector system consists of one
or several feeders connected together at a collector system station. One or more station transformers at
the collector system station are used to achieve transmission system voltage. Unless the collector
system station is adjacent to the interconnection point, an interconnection transmission line is needed.
Reactive compensation in the form of mechanically switched capacitors and continuously variable
devices such as STATCOMs or Static Var Systems (SVS) may be installed at the collector system
station. Depending on the type of WTG, shunt reactive compensation at the WTG terminals may be
installed for power factor correction. The amount and nature of reactive compensation is driven by
interconnection requirements and collector system design considerations, including voltage regulation
and losses. Figure 1 shows a typical WPP topology.
POI or
connection
to the grid Collector System
Station
Interconnection
Transmission Line
Individual WTGs
Despite the large variety of utility-scale WTGs available in the market, each can be classified into
one of four basic types, based on the grid interface1, as listed below:
Type 1 Type 2
Pla nt
Plant Fee ders
Feeders
gene rator
gene rator
PF control ac PF control
capacitor s to capacitor s
dc
Slip power
as heat loss
Type 3 Type 4
Plant
Feeders Plant
Feede rs
gene rator ac dc
genera tor to to
dc ac
ac dc
to to
dc ac
full power
partia l power
1
Dynamic performance for each type of WTG is different. WGMG is working on WECC standard models for each.
POI or Connection
to the Transmission
PF Correction
System Plant-level
- Shunt Capacitors
Reactive
Compensation
The interconnection transmission line, station transformer(s) and plant-level reactive compensation
should be represented explicitly, according to established industry practice. Equivalent representations
are needed for the collector system station and WTGs.
• The equivalent generator and associated power factor correction capacitors represents the
total generating capacity and reactive compensation of all the WTGs in the WPP.
• The equivalent collector system branch represents the aggregate effect of the WPP
collector system, and should approximate real power losses and voltage drop out to the
“average” WTG in the WPP.
Established power flow modeling principles should be applied to WPP representation, although
there are some differences that require especial attention. Single-machine equivalent model parameters
can be derived from preliminary data. Appendix A contains a sample data request form that covers all
the powerflow data needs. Preliminary data should be replaced with as-built data when such data
becomes available, certainly shortly after commissioning. Powerflow model data should be validated
from time to time by comparing the model to actual data, consistent with WECC and NERC
requirements and methodologies. However, as of the date this guide was written, specific WPP testing
and model validation guidelines have not been adopted for use in WECC.
With the proper model parameters, this model should approximate WPP powerflow characteristics
at the interconnection point, collector system real and reactive losses and voltage profile at the
terminals of the “average WTG” in the WPP. There are some limitations, however. Due to collector
system effects, terminal voltage of individual WTGs could vary widely. WTGs that are closest to the
interconnection point may experience significantly different terminal voltage compared to WTGs that
are electrically farthest from the interconnection point. In actual operation, terminal voltage of some
The following guidelines should be considered to model each of the components of the WPP
single-machine equivalent representation.
• Closed-loop voltage control - Maintain voltage schedule within the reactive power capability
of the WPP, over a certain range of real power output. Controlling voltage at the
interconnection point is likely to cause large reactive power swings for small voltage changes if
the WPP is connected to a strong transmission system. Reactive droop compensation can be
used to improve reactive power stability without compromising voltage control benefits. A
small voltage hysteresis may be allowed in some situations. For instance, the requirement may
be to regulate voltage at the interconnection point within 1% or 2% of schedule when WPP
output exceeds 20% of rated capacity.
• Power factor control - Maintain power factor at the interconnection point close to a specified
level. For instance, the requirement may be to maintain power factor between 0.98 lead and
unity at the interconnection point.
• Reactive power control - Maintain reactive power flow within some specified limits. For
instance, the requirement may be to limit reactive power flow at the interconnection point to 5
or 10 Mvar, in either direction.
To properly model plant level reactive compensation, it is very important to establish what reactive
control mode has been implemented, as well as the type of WTGs and compensation devices that are
used. The following should be kept in mind to properly model reactive compensation devices:
• Discrete shunt capacitors should be modeled as constant impedance devices in power flow, to
capture voltage-squared effects.
• Ideally, SVCs should be represented as “svd” (static Var devices) with the appropriate number
and size of steps. However, standard positive-sequence simulation programs require that this
type of devices be represented as generators in power flow before conducting dynamic
simulations. Therefore, it is recommended that SVCs be represented as generators in power
flow to avoid having to convert a potentially large number of svd to generators in order to
conduct dynamic simulations. Until this modeling issue is resolved, it is recommended that
SVCs be represented as generators in power flow.
A simple method developed by NREL2 can be used to derive equivalent impedance (Zeq) and
equivalent susceptance (Beq) from conductor schedule as follows:
I
∑Z n 2
i i
Z eq = Req + jX eq = i =1
,
N2
I
Beq = ∑ Bi ,
i =1
2
E. Muljadi, A. Ellis, et al, “Equivalencing the Collector System of a Large Wind Power Plant”, IEEE Power Engineering
Society Annual Conference, Montreal, Quebec, June 12-16, 2006.
Grid
Grid
Grid
Larger WPPs have lower Zeq and higher Beq considering that additional circuits are needed to
handle larger currents. However, this relationship does not always hold. Table 1 shows some
examples of actual equivalent collector system parameters for several WPP of different nameplate
capacity and different collector system configuration. Per unit parameters are on a 100 MVA and
collector system kV base.
Z Teq = Z T
MVA Teq = N × MVA T
Step-up transformers associated with modern utility-scale WTGs (1 to 3 MVA) have impedance of
approximately 6% on the transformer MVA base, with X/R ratio of about 8.
• For regional transmission planning studies, it is recommended that the power level be
established based on the average output level during the time frame of interest, unless
specific high or low wind output scenarios are of interest. This approach allows for
consideration of realistic load and resources balance over the study area. Average output
during a certain time frame varies depending on the location of the WPP. For example,
in the US desert southwest, WPP output tends to be low (5% to 15% of nameplate
capacity) during the during peak summer load hours due in part to temperature-related
wind turbulence. Average output increases during the evening hours (off peak load
periods), as turbulence decreases. Average output is significantly higher during the
spring and winter and fall. In locations near the coast, wind resource may be driven by
other factors such land-water temperature differential, resulting in very different seasonal
output patterns.
• Due to the steepness of WTG power curve or output versus wind speed characteristic (see
Figure 5), an individual WPP is likely to be at either low output (< 20% of nameplate
capacity) or high output (> 80% of nameplate capacity) at any given time. Figure 6
shows an example of power output distribution for an individual WPP in the Pacific
Northwest. This pattern tends to hold even for the aggregate output of wind farms that
are in close proximity. Based on these observations may be reasonable to represent a
WPP or group of WPPs installed in a certain region either off-line or at maximum power
output. Again, the choice is dependent on the purpose of the study.
100.0
60.0
40.0
20.0
0.0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 25 26
Wind speed (m/s)
Figure 5 – Typical wind power curve (output versus wind speed)
Figure 6 – Output distribution for a wind power plant in the Pacific Northwest
• Type 1 and 2 WTGs are induction machines. In the range of 50% to 100% power level,
uncompensated power factor typically ranges from 0.85 to 0.90 under-excited
(consuming reactive power). Several stages of capacitors banks at the WTG terminals
are normally applied to raise the power factor to approximately unity. In power flow,
power factor correction capacitors should be modeled as fixed shunt devices, considering
that that WPP power output is held constant in power flow studies. In the power flow
model, reactive power consumption can be assumed to be ½ of the power output. A
capacitor should be shown at the WTG terminals to compensate power factor to unity at
nominal voltage. For example, for a 100 MW WPP at full output, both Qmin and Qmax
would be set to -50 Mvar, and add a 50 Mvar shunt capacitor at the WTG terminals.
Plant level reactive compensation may still be installed to meet interconnection
requirements.
Due to collector system effects, some WTGs in the WPP will actually reach terminal voltage limits
before reaching the nameplate reactive power limits. The net effect is that actual reactive power
capability could be significantly less than the nameplate. The reactive power capability can be
determined by field test or careful observation of WPP performance during abnormally high or low
system voltage. For example, Figure 7 shows the results of field tests to determine the practical
reactive limits of a 200 MW WPP. All measurements were made at the interconnection point. Taking
into account the effect of transformer and collector system impedances, the reactive power limits of the
equivalent WTG can be established. Currently, there are no industry standard guidelines for testing
WPP steady-state reactive limits.
Voltage set-point
restored to normal
Wind net MW
Wind net Mvar
Voltage setpoint
Switched off shunt caps restored to normal,
at nearby transmission station Wind net Mvar (turbines begin to re-
synchronize)
Reduced POI voltage
set point in 2% increments
Reduced voltage at nearby
transmission station by 4, 4 and 2 kV
Practical Qmin = -106 Mvar (net to 345 kV). Voltage controller activated
Reached minimum 34.5 kV feeder voltage. A few WTGs tripped on (WTGs previously at unity pf)
prolonged low voltage condition (< 90% of nominal).
Capability would be higher if 345 kV voltage were higher than during the
test
(a) Maximum under-excited WPP output (b) Maximum over-excited WPP output
Modeling of WPP generator and reactive compensation components should be consistent with
WECC pos-transient methodology. Control devices that can complete switching or operation within 3
minutes (e.g., SVCs, STATCOMS and shunts under automatic control) should not be blocked.
Devices that require operator action should be blocked. The equivalent WPP generator should have
the Load Flag set to “1” to reflect the fact that the output should not change during a governor power
flow.
Point Of
Interconnection
Equivalent
Main pad-mounted
Interconnection Transformer(s) Collector Transformer
Transm. Line System
Equivalent
Wind-Turbine
W Generator
kV, R, X, B
kV, MVA, kV, MVA
KV, R, X, B R, X R, X
PF Correction
Shunt Capacitors
Plant-Level Reactive
Compensation
3. Station Transformer. (NOTE: If there are multiple transformers, data for each transformer should
be provided)
• Rating (ONAN/FA/FA): ______/_____/_____ MVA
• Nominal Voltage for each winding (Low /High /Tertiary): _______/_______/_______ kV
• Winding Connections: ________/________/________ (Delta, Wye, Wye grounded)
• Available taps: _____________ (indicated fixed or ULTC), operating Tap: _______
• Positive sequence Z: _____%, ____X/R on transformer self-cooled (ONAN) MVA
• Zero sequence Z: _____%, ____X/R on transformer self-cooled (ONAN) MVA
4. Collector System Equivalent Model. This can be found by applying the equivalencing
methodology described in Section 3.4; otherwise, typical values can be used.
• Collector system voltage = ________ kV
• R = _________ ohm or _______ pu on 100 MVA and collector kV base
• X = _________ ohm or _______ pu on 100 MVA and collector kV base
• B = _________ mF or _______ pu on 100 MVA and collector kV base
• Attach a one-line diagram of the collector layout.
It is also acceptable to provide a complete collector system description similar to Figure 4 of the
Power Flow Modeling Guide.
6. WTG Powerflow Data. Proposed projects may include one or more WTG Types (See NOTE 1
below). Please provide the following information for each:
• Number of WTGs: _______
• Nameplate rating (each WTG): ________ MW
• WTG Manufacturer and Model: _______________
• WTG Type: __________
For Type 1 or Type 2 WTGs:
• Uncompensated power factor at full load: _______
• Power factor correction capacitors at full load: ______Mvar
• Number of shunt stages and size ___________
• Please attach capability curve describing reactive power or power factor range from 0 to full
output, including the effect of shunt compensation.
For Type 3 and Type 3 WTGs:
• Maximum under-excited power factor at full load: _______
• Maximum under-excited power factor at full load: _______
• Control mode: _______________ (voltage control, fixed power factor) (See Note 7.2)
• Please attach capability curve describing reactive power or power factor range from 0 to full
output.
NOTE 7.1: WTG Type can be one of the following:
• Type 1 – Squirrel-cage induction generator
• Type 2 – Wound rotor induction machine with variable rotor resistance
• Type 3 – Doubly-fed asynchronous generator
• Type 4 – Full converter interface
NOTE 7.2: Type 1 and Type 2 WTGs typically operate on fixed power factor mode for a wide
range of output level, aided by turbine-side power factor correction capacitors (shunt
compensation). With a suitable plant-level controller, Type 3 and Type 4 WTGs may be capable of
dynamically varying power factor to contribute to voltage control mode operation, if required by
the utility. However, this feature is not always available due to commercial and other reasons. The
data requested must reflect the WTG capability that can be used in practice. Please consult with
the manufacturer when in doubt. The interconnection study will determine the voltage control
requirements for the project. Plant-level reactive compensation requirements are engineered to
meet specific requirements. WTG reactive capability data described above could significantly
impact study results and plant-level reactive compensation requirements.
8. Wind-turbine Generator (WTG) Dynamic Data. Model and parameter data required for transient
stability analysis is specific to each WTG make and model. The dynamic models must be in an
approved WECC format, or in a PSSE or PSLF format that is acceptable to the transmission provider.
We strongly suggest that the manufacturers provide this information.
• Library model name: ______________
• Model type (standard library or user-written): ___________
• Model access (proprietary or non-proprietary): ___________
• Attach full model description and parameter data