Grid Stability with Large Wind Power Integration
A CaseStudy
J. Sreedevi, Meera K.S, Noor Cheshma.P
Engineering Oftker, Joint Director, SRF
Power Systems Division
Central Power Research Institute,
Bangalore, India
sreedevi@cpri.in
Abstract- Renewable energy resourees are intermittent
energy sources whose power output ean vary widely within small
time frames resulting in grid instability. The Integration of large
seale wind power into power systems raises several questions
whieh include integration with the network system, system
stability, system operation and extensions of the network ete. At
the earlier stage of wind power integration, there was little
eoneern about its influenee on the overall stability of apower
system. However, with the inereasing wind power integration, it
may begin to have a signifieant influenee on the power system
transient stability margin. Most of the wind generators employed
in wind power applieations are Induetion generators that operate
asynehronously and are eharaeterized by poor reaetive power
eontrol eapabHity. Additionally, an aeeeptable integration level of
wind power has not been defined and depends on the amount of
wind power that ean be integrated without eausing in-stability of
the grid. In this paper the results of the studies earried out for
Tamil Nadu state, having the highest wind power integration in
India with the grid has been presented. The various issues
addressed are - quantifieation of the maximum wind penetration
levels without saerificing the grid stability, the ride through
eapabHity at the point of eonneetion of the wind farms, the
reaetive power requirement ete.
Keywords- Renewable Energy sourees, Grid integration, Low
Voltage Ride through capabaility, transient stability
I. INTRODUCTlON
Wind power as a generation source has specific
characteristics, incJuding variability, geographical distribution,
favorable economics and above all abundance and
environmental benefits. As wind power penetration increases,
concems about the stability of power systems are to be
examined. Increasing wind power penetration in apower
system means that wind turbines substitute the conventional
power plants that traditionally control and stabilize the power
system. Before the advent of wind power plants, power
systems mainly consisted of synchronous generators for
electricity production. The behavior and control of these
generators following a disturbance are weil understood by the
utility operators due to their experiences thereof over the years.
The advent of wind power introduces induction generators
(asynchronous machines) into the power system for electricity
generation as they are cheap, robust and support variable speed
operation. Until recently, wind turbines were treated by and
large as embedded generators, which were not to contribute to
978-1-5090-2597-8/16/$31.00@2016 IEEE
S. Ravichandran, R.Santhanakumar, T.Sumathi
Chief Engineer, Superintending Engineer, AEE
System Studies Group
Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company
Tamilnadu, India
sess@tnebnet.org
power system stability. Hence wind turbines were required not
to actively attempt to control voltage or frequency. In addition,
wind turbines were required to disconnect from the grid when
abnormal operating conditions occur. However, increased wind
power penetration leads to the problem that considerable
amount of generation might disconnect in case of a transient
fault in the system or conventional generators fails to respond
to large wind fluctuations in time causing the system to become
unstable from an otherwise harmless fault situation.
The main aspects why wind integration can have a possible
impact on transient stability issues are (a) Wind resources are
usually at different locations than conventional power stations.
Thus, power flows are considerably different in the presence of
a high amount of wind power and power systems are typically
not optimized for wind power transport (b) Wind generators
are usually connected to lower voltage levels than conventional
power stations. Most wind farms are connected to
subtransmission (eg. 132 kV, 110 kV, 66 kV) and not directly
to transmission levels (> I 32kV) via big step-up transformers as
in ca se of conventional power stations (c) Wind generators are
usually based on different generator technologies than
conventional synchronous generators.
Among wind generators there are several different
technologies each of which will have different impacts on
power systems. There are essentially three major types ofwind
turbine designs (a) Constant speed turbines (b) Variable speed
turbines and (c) Gearless turbines. Constant speed turbines
employ conventional induction generators while variable speed
designs are based either on doubly-fed asynchronous
generators or conventional generators connected to the grid
through a full back-to-back frequency converter. Gearless
turbines typically use conventional or permanent magnet
generators connected to the grid through a full back-to-back
frequency converter. The limit for wind generator capacity in a
particular region will therefore depend on the particular
performance characteristics of these wind generators. Fixed
speed induction generators are provided with reactive power
compensator to cater for the large reactive power demand. In
the case of variable speed generators the power electronics
devices provide the required reactive power to the grid.
Excitation system and dynamic compensation devices such as
ST ATCOM have been used to increase the stability margin.
It is now widely accepted that for large wind farms
connected to the transmission system, it is expected that the
571
wind turbines should be able to ride through a single or multi-
phase fault that occurs at the transmission voltage level as per
the Indian grid code requirements [I]. The exact amount of
wind generation that may be incorporated into a system before
the burden of operation becomes excessive (usually called
maximum penetration of wind power) is highly system
dependent. The maximum levels of penetration depend on the
amount that can be integrated without causing problem to the
stability of the network.
In this paper, a case study of Tamil Nadu state, which has
the highest amount of wind power installed in India, has been
presented to study the various impacts (stability, maximum
wind penetration level, low voltage ride through and reactive
power) of increasing wind power penetration on the grid. The
2015 year power scenario of the grid has been considered for
the study. Tamil Nadu (Fig I) has considerable amount of
wind generation mainly in Udumalpet and Tirunelveli regions.
The total generation is 14947 MW out ofwhich 10942 MW is
from conventional sources and 6827 MW from wind
generation (3191MW in Udumalpet region and 3636 MW in
Tirunelveli region).
Grid Map ofTamil Nadu
The conventional generators in T ANGEDCO system are
modeled in detail as Synchronous machines with one field
winding, one damper winding in d-axis and two damper
windings in q- axis. The excitation system for generators is
modeled as IEEE-Type I exciter. The Wind generators in
T ANGEDCO system are of two types - Synchronous wind
generators and Asynchronous wind generators (Induction
generators). Synchronous wind generators are modeled
similar to conventional generators and Asynchronous wind
generators are modeled as Induction generators.
Transient Stability studies have been carried out for the
T ANGEDCO network after performing the Load flow studies.
Stability of the system is tested for various contingencies such
as outage of conventional and wind generators, line outages,
outages of Inter-Connecting Transformer, three phase to
ground faults at various buses.
III. LOAD FLOW STUDIES
Scenario 1: The load flow studies are matched to get the cIosest
initial operating condition. The total generation in the system
for scenario studied is 14947 MW out of which conventional
generation is 10942 MW and wind generation is 4005 MW
(58.66 % of the installed wind capacity). In the operating
scenario considered, around 60% of the installed wind
generation is considered (Udumalpet region: 1882 MW and
Tirunelveli region: 2123 MW). Capacitor compensation of 268
MV AR has been added at 110 kV voltage level to ensure the
bus voltages are within permissible limits. The wind capacity
penetration is given by equation (I):
Wind Gen. (MW)
Wind Capacity Penetration (%) = Total Gen. (MW) (1)

4005
= - - =26.8 %
14947

Scenario 11: The output from the wind generators is increased

from the existing levels to check the system stability with
increased levels of wind penetration. The output from the wind
generators which is limited to around 60% in the load flow
scenario is further increased keeping the same T ANGEDCO
system network configuration. It is found that if the output
from the wind generators goes beyond 67% of the installed
Tirunelveli wind capacity, the load flow solution does not converge. The
output of the wind generators for different scenarios is listed in
Table I.
4586
W ind CapacityPenetration (%) = 15652 = 29 .3 %
Fig. 1 Wind regions ofTamilnadu
T ABLE I OUTPUT OF WIND GENERATORS
11. SYSTEM MODELING

Simulation of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Wind Region InstalIed Wind generation (MW)
capacity Scenario 1 Scenario 11
Company (T ANGEDCO) electrical system from generation to (MW)
110 kV is considered and is simulated in the SIMPOW® Udumalpet 3191 1882 2105
software. Each wind farm is modeled with individual Tirunelveli 3636 2123 2481
generators connected through generating transformer to the Total 6827 4005 4586
point of connection. These wind generators are integrated at % Installed Capacity 58.66 67.17
different voltage levels II kV, 33 kV and 110 kV in % Wind penetration 26.8 29.3
T ANGEDCO system.

572 2016 IEEE Region 10 Conference (TENCON) - Proceedings ofthe International Conference
 In the load flow results it is observed that the voltages at Udumalpet & Tirunelveli region simultaneously is simulated to
400 kV are within limits ofO.95 pu to 1.05 pu and at few ofthe find the maximum generation loss which makes the system
220 kV buses the bus voltage are below 0.9 pu. In the 110kV unstable. The loss of wind generation of 2497.76 MW makes
buses voltage violations are observed at most of the buses. So the system unstable. This corresponds to a loss of 16.71 % of
bus voltages are adjusted as per Indian Central Electricity the total generation. System instability can be seen from drop
Authority guide lines (0.92 pu to l.lpu) by providing reactive in voltages in Fig 4.
power compensation to the tune of additional 620 MV AR at TNEB PLANNINGSTUIlIES

various 110 kV buses. The actual compensation requirement SUDIlENLOSSOFWlNOINI.JDl.t.lALPETREGlON-SYNCIROHOUS&A.SYHCHROHOUS

_ NCOE 10649KANDAMA I UPOS. ~v

will be less than this if on load tap changers are enabled. _

_
_
NCOE 107&eKAOMLGDU U POS. kV
NCOE l 0267RASGA.PR l UPOS_ kV
NCOE 10449VAlGDAM U POS_ kV
_ NOOE DF_l 0990KllDMLGDWUPOS. kV

IV. STABILITY STUDIES

Transient Stability studies have been carried out for the
T ANGEDCO network for various contingencies such as -
outage of conventional and wind generators, line outages, oo.o ~
outages of Inter-Connecting Transforrner, three phase to
ground faults at various buses.

, , , I I I , ,
A. Outage of Conventional Generators 0.0 ' .0
'" 6.0 8.0
TIr.l eSECOJ<lDS
10.0 12.0 14.0

Oiag,am:lI
STRI Software
Rotor angle stability ofthe system is analyzed for Outage of
209NLC2EX41 500 MW, Mettur 210 MW generator and Fig.3 Dip in the voltage for sudden loss ofwind in Udumalpet region
Tuticom 210 MW generator. Rotor angle of the machines are
shown in Fig 2. which are plotted for duration of 15 seconds. TrtilPLAHNlHGSTI.IlIES
~LOSSOFWlNDltH.lJl"'ALPET&TI_8..VELIREGlOOSl"'ULT AI'lEOUSLY :

As seen from the plots the system is stable as the rotor angles _
_
~ ODE

~ ODE
10666C1-111'1PDR I UPOS. <v
10667PO'lPRM l U POS. <v

settles to a stable operating point. _

_
~ OOE

~ODE
10260MELKAAPT U POS. kV
10599PUDPLM I UPOS. <v

TtEBPL,o\NNlNGSTLOSS
0UT .... GEOI'2G9tf..C2EX41_D

_ SYNC9MTPS 12G_D TETA DEGREESRELATIVET0206VALLURN_D

_ SYNC411PS 12G_D TETA DEGREESRELATIVET0206VALWRJV_D
_ SYNC 118NCTPS 12G_D TETA DEGREESRELATfIIET0206VAlLURN_ D
_ SYNC 209NLC2EX41 _D TETA DEGREES RELATIVE T0206VAlWRN_D
_ SYNC l 02MTPS3G TETA DEGREESRElATIVET0206VALLURN_D

,".o ~

:: ~
_20_0

~.o ~___
~-............~~~_--

~.o

, , , , , , , ,
0.0 '.0 ' .0 '.0 '0 10.0 12.0 14.0

STRI Software Dlagra m :1

, , , , ,
0 .0 <.0 ' .0
j
6.0
j
8 .0
i
10.0 12.0 14.0 Fig.4 Drop in bus voltages for a loss of 16.71% ofthe wind generation
TlME SB::CH::IS

STRI Software

Stability studies are also carried out to find stability of the

Fig. 2 Rotor angles for Outage of conventional Generator system with increased wind penetration levels for load flow
scenario 11. Studies similar to the above are carried out and the
summary ofthe stability results are tabulated in Table 11.
B. Outage of Wind Generators
As part of stability studies, sudden loss of wind generation T ABLE 1I SUMMARY OF STABlLlTY RESULTS
is studied in Udumalpet and Tirunelveli regions individually
and simultaneously. The voltage dip experienced by the system Condition Scenario I Scenario II
for sudden loss of the wind turbines depends on the type of
wind generators. Wind Generation 4005 MW 4586MW

Sudden decrease in the output of the wind generators due to Peak Load 14947MW 15652 MW
loss of wind is simulated by disconnecting wind generators in Wind capacity penetration 26.8% 29.3 %
these regions. The sudden loss of all wind generators in
Udumalpet region is simulated to deterrnine the stability of the Sudden loss of wind in Stable - for Stable - for
Udumalpet loss of 12.6% loss of 13.45%
system. There is a generation loss of 12.6 % in Udumalpet
region by disconnecting all generators for the scenario I. For Sudden loss of wind in Stable - for Unstable - for
Tirunelveli loss of 14.2% lossof 13.41%
this case, the system is observed to be stable. This can be seen
Sudden loss ofwind in Unstable - Unstable -
from the Fig 3. Similarly in Tirunelveli region, loss of all wind
Udumalpet and for more than for more than 14.95
generation amounts to loss of 14.2 % of generation and system Tirunelveli 16.71% loss % loss
is able to sustain from instability. Sudden loss of wind in

20161EEE Region 10 Conference (TENCON) - Proceedings ofthe International Conference 573

C. Fault/ Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) capability
Fault ride through capability requires the generator to
remain stable and connected to the network during the 00.' -
occurrence of the fault just like conventional systems are
required to remain connected to the system during faults in the
adjacent circuits so as to avoid further loss of generation and
drop in frequency. Constant speed turbines may not be capable
offault ride through unless additional equipment is supplied for
the grid support during fault conditions. Wind turbine with
Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) and Permanent
Magnet Synchronous generators (pMSG) is capable of fault i j i j I , j i j i j i j i , I

ride through capability. STRI Software IY<TE 3 APR 20 , 4TIMEI3:54:13

TlM ESECOfClS
JOBTNEB_LVRT Slm pow l' .0.003

As per Indian Electricity Grid Code, wind farms must

remain connected when the voltage dip profile is above the line Fig.5 LVRTcapabilityat 10667 PONNAPURAM bus
shown in the Fig 4. The Wind generating machines shall have
the operating region as shown in Fig.4 during system faults. D. Load through OFF ofhighly inductive load:
Wind farms can be disconnected if the operating point falls
Load throw off is simulated at two buses. At node
below the line as shown in Fig 4.
210lNLCMINES a highly inductive load of 100 MW + j 105
MV AR was present in the system.
At 1.0 seconds this load is disconnected from the system,
the bus voltage 210lNLCMINES is plotted against the time as
shown in Fig 6. The voltage is rising to 228.98kV (l32.2kV
line to ground) and the system is stable.
(I)
Cl
lll:
o
>

VI

:::J - - - - -
o T llme (ms) 3000

Fig. 4 Fault Ride through characteristics

T: 300 ms, Vf: 15% ofNominal System voltage

Vpf: Minimum voltage (80% ofNominal System Voltage) 130_00
O~
,
1~
I
U
I
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n
,
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i
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TIMESECONDS

The fault clearing time for various system nominal voltage STRI Software IY<TE 3 APR20,4 TIME ,6:00:45 JOB •..,ac hing Simpow ll .0.003

levels is given in RefIl] Flg. 6 Voltage at 230 kV bus 2101NLCMINES

E. Reserve Margin measures for high Windpenetration

LVRT capability at i0667PONPRMi : At this bus six wind
generators are present contributing 90.77 MW. These
generators are connected to grid through 22 1110 kV generating
transformers. Three phase to ground fault is created at the bus
10667PONPRMIand cleared after 8 cycles. For the dip in
voltage for duration of eight cycles these wind generators are
not getting disconnected from the grid and thereby able to ride
through the fault. This can be seen from the voltage plot at
ponnapuram bus shown in Fig 5.
This LVRT capability is also checked at (a) wind farm in
Udumalpet region which is Pappampatti of l3.64 MW (b)
largest wind farm in Tirunelveli region which is Udayathur of
120.93 MW (c) wind farm in Tirunelveli Region which is
Kadayanallur of 14.8 MW. It was observed that in all cases
studied the wind farms were able to ride through the fault and
thereby the system is stable.
Demand for electricity can change in any electrical utility in
matter of time and load generation balance has to be
maintained for system stability. As wind penetration increases,
T ANGEDCO requires additional spinning reserves to
maintain desired level of grid reliability.
Reserve margin for T ANGEDCO system is calculated
based on the concepts given in [2, 3] for both scenarios
considered in the study. Reserve capacity calculations for
T ANGEDCO system is tabulated in Table IV. For the case of
30 % wind penetration areserve margin of 3.7% to 4.7% is to
be maintained based on the information available in literature.

574 20i6iEEE Region 10 Conference (TENCON) - Proceedings ofthe international Conference

 T ABLE IV RESERVE REQUlREMENTS FOR TANGEDCO

Reserve Scenario I Scenario 11

requirement
Based on [2] 3.7 %*14947 = 553 MW 3.70/0*15652 = 579 MW
Based on [3] 0.1 % * 14947*20 + 0.1 % *15652*20 +
0.3% * 14947*6.81 0.3% *15652*9.29
= 298.94 + 305.36 = 313.04 + 436.22
=604.30MW = 749.26 MW

V. CONCLUSIONS
Integration of large scale wind power may have severe
impacts on the power system performance and system
operation. In recent years there is an increased focus on wind
farm performance and the functional requirements they should
meet. Hence most of the countries have defined grid codes
which specify the dynamic and static requirements wind
turbines must meet in order to be connected to the grid. As per
the Grid codes, wind farms are required to remain transiently
stable and connected to the system without tripping of any of
the generators of the wind farm during three-phase faults in the
transmission system and the ride through fault capabilities must
be met.
In this paper, the results of stability studies for the
T ANGEDCO system having the highest wind generation
integrated with the Indian grid with a penetration level of
26.8 % has been discussed. The studies have shown that
maximum wind generation TANGEDCO can accommodate for
the operating scenario considered is 29.3 % without loss of
stability. The results of the study have been helpful in
quantifying the maximum wind penetration levels beyond
which grid stability will be lost. As the wind farms considered
in the study have different types of wind generators, the ride
through capability of the wind generators have also been
studied and discussed with reference to the Indian Grid code.

20161EEE Region 10 Conference (TENCON) - Proceedings ofthe International Conference 575