Neutral Grounding in Wind Farm Grids

by

Istvn Erlich, Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil.

26th Nov 2010, 11:15 12:00 Aalborg University, Dept. of Energy Technology Pontoppidanstraede 101, Room 23, 9220 Aalborg East

IEEE lecture organized by IEEE IAS/IES/PELS Joint Danish Chapter

Abstract: The choice of the optimum neutral grounding for a given network always involves a trade-off between the level of permissible short-circuit current on the one hand and tolerable voltage stress at the healthy phases following a single line to ground fault on the other. Effective grounding leads to high fault currents but the concomitant voltage stress is limited. The high fault current makes the fault detection and clearance easy. For conventional power transmission and distribution networks the available options are clear, and utilities have established grounding practices. But with increasing wind energy, it is necessary to take unique features of wind farms into consideration in choosing the most suitable neutral grounding option, at least for the wind farm grids. Based on EMT type simulation using a representative wind farm grid, the author provides an in-depth discussion of the pros and cons of the alternative grounding strategies vis--vis the relevant operational requirements within a large offshore wind farm, mainly focusing on the aspects of selectivity and voltage limitation. The level of over-voltages after tripping of the affected line for the feasible grounding options will be compared and contrasted with one another. Additionally, the effects of different voltage control strategies in the wind turbines on the over-voltages will be discussed and illustrated.

About the speaker:

Istvan Erlich received his Dipl.-Ing. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Dresden/Germany in 1976 and his PhD in 1983 from the same university. After his studies, he worked in Hungary, Berlin and Dresden (Germany) in different fields of power engineering. Since 1998, he is Professor and head of the Institute of Electrical Power Systems of the University Duisburg Essen/Germany. His major scientific interest is focused on power system stability and control, modelling and simulation of power system dynamics including intelligent system applications and renewable energy sources. He is a member of VDE and senior member of IEEE.

All are welcome Professor Remus Teodorescu

Chairman of IEEE IAS/IES/PELS Joint Chapter in Denmark