21, rue d’Artois, F-75008 PARIS C2-302 CIGRE 2008

http : //www.cigre.org

The Control of a Power System with a High Wind Power Penetration:

Ireland’s Experience

Ivan Dudurych, Hugh Jones, Michael Power

EirGrid plc
Ireland

SUMMARY

The number of wind turbines connected to the Irish electrical power systems has grown rapidly over
the last number of years. The dramatic increase of wind power generation connected to the Republic
of Ireland’s power system from 160 MW in 2003 to more than 800 MW in 2007 imposed a new
challenge on the power system operator to accommodate the variable power output from wind
generation plant. Grid connection applications have been lodged by private investors for various types
of wind turbine technologies that have been classified at four major categories – 1) constant speed
wind turbine technology, and variable speed wind turbine technologies: 2) with a low speed multi pole
synchronous generator, 3) with doubly-fed induction generator, and 4) with wound rotor induction
generator with variable resistor.
Grid Code requirements for wind power generation and their implementation on the system are also
considered by the authors. These include requirements for fault (low voltage) ride through, frequency
stability, frequency response, voltage control and reactive power capability. Examples of TSO- and
DSO-connected wind power stations show their grid-code compliance.
Available records of system frequency variation and wind generation output level/fluctuation
demonstrate a correlation between both. It is evident that with higher wind penetration frequency
control is more difficult.
A new wind dispatch application in the National Control Centre SCADA/EMS system has been
developed to provide NCC operators with the capability to curtail or constrain the MW output of wind
power stations in a coordinated fashion. Aggregated models of individual wind power stations are
developed for that application.

KEYWORDS

Wind Power Generation, Grid Code, Power System Operations, Power System Control

Ivan.dudurych@eirgrid.com 1
1. DESCRIPTION OF WIND POWER PENETRATION ON THE IRISH POWER SYSTEM

The island of Ireland’s Power System is comprised of the Republic of Ireland Power System and the
Northern Ireland’s Power System that are under different jurisdictions. These two systems are lightly
interconnected by dual circuit 275 kV AC lines and two 110 kV lines. The NI Power System is
connected to Scotland by 500 MW HVDC link. The combined maximum/minimum demand of the
two systems is approx. 6,800/2,500 MW. Tripping of the largest generator (420MW) can result in a
frequency fall of 0.5 Hz and more even with primary fast acting operating reserve of 75% of the
maximum infeed. The relatively small size of the system also dictates wider frequency variations
under normal conditions (±0.1 Hz 90% of the time). Under-frequency defence measures can be
initiated that include pumped storage response (290 MW), gas-turbine peaking, contracted customer
disconnection, load shedding. Generation plant is mostly thermal, with some 3% hydro, 4% hydro
pumped storage and 6% wind. The RoI’s transmission system is operated by the TSO EirGrid.
The rapid increasing of wind power generation on the Irish Power Systems over the last few years
imposes further challenges on Power System Operators and EirGrid in particular, mainly due to
fluctuating character of wind power production and uncertainties of its forecasting. The installed wind
capacity on the EirGrid System has grown from 68 MW in 1999 to approximately 800 MW in 2007.
This represents almost 12% of the installed generation capacity. Such growth has been due to a
number of reasons including government commitment to the renewable sector arising from the Kyoto
agreement and EU directives, the proven maturity and commercial availability of wind turbines [1],
and greater understanding of the impact of wind generation on power system operation [2]. Up to
October 2004 some 80% of all installed capacity was connected to the distribution system with the
balance to the transmission system. Since then with the emergence of larger WPSs the trend is towards
direct connection to the transmission system. It is estimated that by January 2008 50% of WPSs will
be connected to the transmission system.
As shown in Fig. 1, the majority of Ireland’s WPSs (85% of the total installed capacity) are located in
the West of Ireland, where wind resources are most widely available. Consequently the ‘smoothing
effect’ due to the geographical spread of WPSs is minimal.

Region A
46 %

Region C
17%

Region B
3 7%

Fig.1. Schematic layout of WPS location in Ireland

The actual wind generation output can vary from 0.5% to 96% of the total installed capacity of wind
generation (see Fig. 2), while 95% of the time it generates less then 80% of its installed capacity. The
yearly median wind power output (capacity factor) varies from 31% to 34% and averages 32%. From
Fig. 3 it is seen that average instant wind power generation is greater than 50% of its installed capacity
for 95 days in a year. The rest of the time, it is less than 50%.

Ivan.dudurych@eirgrid.com 2
 70 0
Ins talle d c ap ac ity
60 0
W ee kly ave rag e
50 0 Ave ra g e
40 0
MW

30 0
20 0
10 0
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
M o n th s

Fig. 2. Total wind power generation from all Republic of Ireland WPSs for year 2006
250
2001
200 2002
2003
150
Days

2004
100
2005
2006
50 Average

0
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Wind generation (%Inst. Cap.)

Fig. 3. Wind power output distribution in years 2001-2006

At present, four main types of wind turbine generators have been installed on Ireland’s electricity
system;
• A constant speed wind turbine, which consists of a grid coupled short-circuited induction
generator. The wind turbine rotor is connected to the generator through a gearbox. The power
extracted from the wind is limited in high wind speeds using the stall effect. No active control systems
are used;
• A variable speed wind turbine with a low speed multi pole synchronous generator. The
synchronous generator has a wound rotor and it is excited using permanent magnets. It is coupled to
the grid through a back-to-back voltage source converter. The power extracted from the wind is
limited by pitching the rotor blades in high wind speeds;
• A variable speed wind turbine with wound rotor induction generator – doubly-fed induction
generator. The rotor winding is supplied using a back-to-back voltage source converter. As in the first
case, the wind turbine rotor is coupled to the generator through a gearbox. As in the second case, in
high wind speeds the power extracted from the wind is limited by pitching the rotor blades.
• A variable speed wind turbine with wound rotor induction generator with the rotor winding
connected to controlled variable resistor.

2. SYSTEM OPERATION WITH INCREASING WIND POWER GENERATION

In order to accommodate and safely operate a high level of wind power generation on the Irish power
system, extensive research and analysis work has been carried out by the transmission system
operator. The following main issues have been identified and specified as Grid Code requirements for
wind power stations (WPS) [3]:
• Fault ride through requirements;
• System frequency and frequency response requirements;
• Transmission system voltage and reactive power capability requirements;
• Remote operation requirements;
• Wind power forecasts requirements.

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Fault (low voltage) ride through (FRT) requirements. To preserve the current level of dynamic
stability of the power system, a wind power station (WPS) should remain connected to the
transmission system during voltage dips on any or all phases in the transmission system, as long as the
voltage measured at the HV terminals of the grid connected transformer of WPS, or in other words at
the common coupling point (CCP), remains above the solid line in Fig. 4. This figure was obtained as
a result of analysis of actual faults on the Irish power system as well as simulations. These show that
due to low short circuit levels, voltage dips below 15% occur in vast areas during faults, particularly in
regions where WPSs are concentrated (see Fig. 2). The duration of voltage dip during which WPS
should continue to be connected to the transmission system is determined by the largest possible fault
clearance time on the system [4].
All WPS connected to the transmission system should comply with fault ride through requirements.
Fig. 5 shows the response of one grid-connected DFIG-type WPS during a 3-phase fault on an
adjacent 110 kV line resulting in a 30% voltage dip at the CCP. This particular WPS has separately
installed capacitor banks that support voltage at CCP and enhance WPS FRT capability. This WPS
also stayed connected for 70% voltage dip at CCP.

1.1
1.0
0.9
Voltage, p.u.

0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
-0.1 0.2 0.5 0.8 1.1 1.4 1.7 2 2.3 2.6 2.9 3.2 3.5
Time,s
Fig. 4. Fault Ride-Through capability of WPSs according to Grid Code

1.1 18

Active and reactive power,

1.05 16
14
1 Vr
Voltage, p.u.

Vs 12
0.95
Vt 10 MVA
0.9 P, MW 8
0.85 Q, MVAr
6
0.8 4
0.75 2
0.7 0
0

0.04

0.08

0.12

0.16

0.2

0.24

0.28

0.32

0.36

0.4

0.44

0.48

Time, s

Fig 5. DFIG-based WPS operation during 3-phase fault at adjacent 110 kV line
Frequency and frequency response requirements. WPS should have the capability to: a) operate
continuously at normal rated output at transmission system frequencies in the range 49.5 Hz to 50.5
Hz and b) remain connected to the transmission system at frequencies within the range 47.5 Hz to 52.0
Hz during system disturbances [3]. Such requirements do not differ from those applied to conventional
plant. Unfortunately, distribution-connected WPSs, that constitute 50% of all wind generation in the
RoI do not have that requirement, which imposes extra stress on the system in case of a disturbance.
As an example, on Fig. 6, frequency responses of some of TSO/DSO- connected WPSs are shown on
the tripping of one of the large units on the system. All TSO- connected WPSs stayed connected
during the frequency excursion, whereas 40% of DSO-connected WPSs were disconnected by under-
frequency relays. Had they remained connected, load shedding (which roughly equated to the value of
disconnected MW) could have been avoided.

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 51

1
50.7

50.4
0.8

Wind output, p.u.

50.1

0.6 49.8
Enercon TSO Connected

Hz
Vestas, TSO connected 49.5
Bonus, TSO Connected
0.4 GE, DSO Connected 49.2
Frequency, Hz
48.9
0.2
48.6

0 48.3
17:30

17:35

17:40

17:45

17:50

17:55

18:00

18:05

18:10

18:15

18:20

18:25

18:30
Fig. 6. Recorded under-frequency responses of some WPS

WPS with maximum export capacity (MEC) more than 5 MW have to be able to provide frequency
response as displayed in Fig. 7 [5]. Under normal transmission system frequency ranges, the wind
power station should operate with an active power output as set by the line ‘A’ - ‘B’. Where the
system frequency is below/above the normal range, the frequency response system must act to ramp
up/down the wind power station’s active power output in accordance with the frequency/active power
characteristic in Fig. 7. The settings (points A and B in this figure) may be different for each WPS
depending on system conditions and wind power station location.
At present 8 grid-connected WPSs with installed capacity 43% of total installed wind generation and 8
distribution system connected WPSs (13% of total installed wind generation) are equipped with
frequency response features (6 are commissioned) and their settings are controlled from NCC.

100%
% of available active power

90%
80%
A B
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
46.00 47.00 48.00 49.00 50.00 51.00 52.00 53.00

Frequency, Hz

Fig. 7. Frequency response capability of WPS.

Voltage requirements. According to the Grid Code wind power stations have to remain continuously
connected to the transmission system at their maximum available active power or curtailed active
power output for normal and system disturbance conditions when voltage is within prescribed range
(e.g. for 110 kV system during system disturbances this range is from 99 to 123 kV). WPS should
have a continuously acting voltage regulation system with similar response characteristics to a
conventional automatic voltage regulator. The VRS has to regulate the voltage at connection point by
continuous modulation of the WPS’s reactive power output, within its reactive power range [3].
All grid connected WPS connected since 2004 [2] have their voltage control functionalities in place,
but not commissioned yet. Many of these WPS use switched capacitor banks in steps of different sizes
following voltage control algorithms. Set points for the individual WPSs can be controlled from the
National Control Centre.

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Reactive power capability. According to Grid Code, WPSs should be capable of operating at any point
within the power factor ranges illustrated in Fig. 8, as measured at the LV side of the grid connected
transformer of WPS, for any voltage at the connection point within the ranges specified.
Following this requirement a number of solutions have been provided for WPSs based on different
types of wind power generation technology. For example, Fig 9 shows a combined reactive power
capability characteristic for the WPS based on induction generators with wound rotor, where a
voltage-controlled source is connected to the rotor through the brushes and slip rings .

0.4 0.6
Cosφ=
0.3 0.83 (lag)
0.4
Rective power,p.u.

0.2 cosφ=0.98 (lag)

0.1
Cosφ=0.95 (lag) 0.2

Q, p.u.
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
-0.1
Cosφ=0.95 (lead) -0.2
-0.2
Cosφ= cosφ=0.96 (lead)
-0.3
-0.4
0.83 (lead)

-0.4 -0.6
Active power, pu P, p.u.

Fig. 8. Reactive power capability requirements Fig. 9. Reactive power capability chart for a
wound rotor generator with VCS

Remote operation requirements. These requirements include the feasibility to exchange signals
between WPS and TSO. Among the signals that WPS should make available to the TSO’s remote
terminal units (RTU) are:
• Grid connected transformer (GCT) tap positions;
• Voltage at the GCT low voltage terminals;
• Active and reactive power output at the LV side of the GCT;
• Voltage regulation system set-point (in kV);
• On/Off status indications for reactive power devices;
• MV Circuit-breaker position indications.
For WPS with an installed capacity in excess of 10 MW the following signals are also required:
• Meteorological data (wind speed and direction at hub height, air temperature and pressure);
• Wind power station availability (0-100 % signal);
• Percentages of WTG not generating due to out-of-range wind-speed conditions (0-100 %);
MW forecasts and MW availability declarations (for WPS with an installed capacity more then
30 MW).
Among the control signals from the TSO to wind power stations are:
• A MW control facility status signal
• A MW curtailment set-point signal defining the maximum active power output permitted from
the WPS;
• Voltage set-point for voltage regulation purposes;
Utilizing the control signals above will ensure the operation of the transmission system with wind
generation, in a secure and stable manner.
Wind power forecasts requirements. Grid Code specifies that controllable wind farms should
provide their wind power output forecasts once a day for the following 48 hours for each 30-minute
interval. However, at present EirGrid utilises a two-day wind power output forecast when committing
plant for the following day. A forecast update is available in NCC every 6 hours with up to 4 hours
delay from the issuing the wind speed forecast by Met Éireann, the Irish National Meteorological

Ivan.dudurych@eirgrid.com 6
Service. The NCC controller is provided with a display of all 4 latest forecasts and 6-day forecast
based on two different techniques. In Fig.10 only the current and previous forecasts along with actual
wind power output are shown for clarity. The accuracy of the wind power forecasts depends of a
number of factors, the most important being the wind speed forecast. Another important factor is a
number of online wind turbines in each wind farm, especially DSO-connected ones. Although, wind
power forecasting has been improving since it was first introduced in 2001, still only 80% of all
forecasts are being made within 85% accuracy.

800

700

600

500
MW

400

300

200 Corrected CURRENT FORECAST 04/01/2008 06.00

ACTUAL WIND
100 FORECAST 04/01/2008 00.00

06-Sun 06:00
06-Sun 02:00
04-Fri 06:00
04-Fri 08:00
04-Fri 10:00
04-Fri 12:00

04-Fri 16:00

04-Fri 20:00

05-Sat 22:00
06-Sun 00:00
05-Sat 02:00

05-Sat 06:00

05-Sat 12:00

05-Sat 16:00

06-Sun 04:00
04-Fri 14:00

04-Fri 18:00

04-Fri 22:00
05-Sat 00:00

05-Sat 04:00

05-Sat 08:00
05-Sat 10:00

05-Sat 14:00

05-Sat 18:00
05-Sat 20:00
Fig. 10. Wind power output forecast screen in NCC

3. WIND POWER EFFECT ON FREQUENCY CONTROL AND RESERVE

Power system operators report growing difficulty in controlling frequency when wind output is high.
Representative cases of high and low wind generation with high levels of wind power variation which
impact on frequency control in Ireland have been studied. Frequency control becomes very difficult
when frequency rates of change due to wind reach the level of 1.5 Hz/min. Such rates of change force
power system operators to despatch more responsive plant more frequently than in low wind
situations. A higher proportion of wind power in generation dispatch (especially during night load
valleys) potentially can lead to unwanted under-frequency protection operation, spurious load
shedding and operating reserve actuation [6]. This effect is illustrated in Fig. 11. The direct effect of
wind power variation on system frequency during low load period at night is shown with a) wind
output of approx 60% of capacity and b) 3% of capacity. It is seen from the comparison that frequency
control becomes very difficult when frequency changes due to wind reach 1.5 Hz/min.

50.2 480 50.2 80

50.15 470 50.15 70

15-Nov-07 F, Hz
50.1 460 50.1 15-Nov-07 Wind, MW 60
Frequency, Hz
Frequency, Hz

50.05 450 50.05 50

Wind, MW
Wind, MW

50 440 50 40

49.95 430 49.95 30

49.9 08-Nov-07 F, Hz 420 49.9 20

08-Nov-07 Wind, MW
49.85 410 49.85 10

49.8 400 49.8 0

02:00:00

02:10:00

02:20:00

02:30:00

02:40:00

02:50:00

03:00:00
02:00:00

02:10:00

02:20:00

02:30:00

02:40:00

02:50:00

03:00:00

(a) (b)

Fig. 11. Total wind power output versus frequency for : (a) high wind and (b) low wind scenario

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In Fig. 12 examples of frequency fluctuations are shown as function of wind power output fluctuations
for the same time of the day periods (from 3 am to 6 am when the system load is low). It is clearly
seen from the figure that high wind produces more frequency fluctuations and in a wider range.

08-Nov-07 (Wind power outpot 350 - 550 MW) 15-Nov-07 (Wind power outpot 15 - 40 MW)

0.02 0.02

Freque ncy fluctua tions, H z

Frequency fluctuations, Hz

0.015 0.015
0.01 0.01
0.005 0.005
0 0
-10 -5 -10 -5 -0.005 0 5 10
-0.005 0 5 10
-0.01 -0.01

-0.015 -0.015

-0.02 -0.02

Wind Power Fluctuations, MW Wind Power Fluctuations, MW

(a) (b)

Fig. 12. Frequency fluctuations versus wind power output fluctuations for : (a) high wind and (b)
moderate wind
Statistical data analysed on extreme changes in wind power output suggests that they could influence
reserve requirements. Present levels of wind power penetration already affect established operating
reserve margins for short periods of time (minutes). Higher wind power penetration levels may
necessitate a review of reserve requirements. This could be done in conjunction with establishing and
improving the wind following capability of the conventional plant.
For the estimation of operating reserve requirements due to wind, wind power output falls within 10
seconds, 75 seconds, and 3.5 minutes have been analysed. Based on maximum values within these
time intervals proposals are made to increase existing primary reserve (5 - 15 seconds) by 2.5 % of
installed capacity of wind generation; for the secondary operating reserve (15 - 90 seconds) - by 4%,
and for the tertiary operating reserve (90 seconds – 5 minutes) - by 5 % of forecasted wind power
generation.
Replacement reserve or long-term reserve (tens of hours) should be equal to maximum export capacity
(MEC) of the wind generation, as records clearly demonstrate periods of up to four days of virtually
no wind power output.

4. NEW WIND DISPATCH APPLICATION IN THE NCC SCADA/EMS SYSTEM

This application has been developed as a sub process of the AGC function within the SCADA/EMS
system. Wind units controlled by this application however do not participate in the frequency
regulation task of the AGC function. Two distinct forms of wind dispatch are possible, Curtailment
and Constraint. Curtailment is a global function which allows the operator to reduce the output of all
participating WPSs in situations where the total wind output is considered to be a threat to system
security or stability. Constraint allows the operator to reduce the output of particular WPSs normally
as a result of some local network constraint. It is possible to have both constraint and curtailment in
operation simultaneously. Fig. 13 shows the main display used by the operator to control the
application.

Curtailment Operation

From this display the operator enters the total required output of participating Wind Units and requests
the application to calculate revised set points for each unit. The total reduction required is allocated
across the participating unit in proportion to their actual outputs and capacities. The set points are

Ivan.dudurych@eirgrid.com 8
displayed to the operator for review (operator may modify these if appropriate). When satisfied the
operator issues the new set points by selecting the Issue Curtailment Set points option. The
application first turns on the Act. Power control facility Status (WCF) and then issues the set point
value. Application logic is provided to track the actual implementation of the set points and inform the
operator via alarms of any implementation failures. All steps in the process are logged in a special
application log which is subsequently stored in the Historical Information System (HIS).

Fig. 13. Wind Dispatch User Interface

Constraint Operation

For constraint operation the operator directly selects which units need to be constrained
(Disp.Participtn flags), enters desired set points directly and issues the set points using the Constraint
set point option.

Removal of Curtailment/Constraint

By selecting the remove options the curtailments or constraints in operation are cancelled. The
application first issues a set point equal to the MEC of each wind unit and then commands the Act.
Power Ctrl facility Status to the off position. This ensures that the wind unit returns to free dispatch,
based on the wind level at that time.

Interface to Market System

In the Single Electricity Market (SEM) operating on the Island of Ireland since 1st November 2007
wind units are compensated when their output is reduced by the TSO. In order for the settlement
process to calculate compensation rates the market needs to know when and why units have been
dispatched below their availability. A series of codes are associated with each dispatch instruction and
Ivan.dudurych@eirgrid.com 9
appear in the log messages entered in the Wind Log when a new set point is sent to each unit. The
market interface software (external to the SCADA/EMS) extracts this information from the Wind Log
(Fig. 14) stored in the HIS and produces the appropriate dispatch instructions to be used in the
settlement process. The codes are as follows:
Curtailment Set point CURL
Curtailment removed CRLO
Constraint Set point LOCL
Constraint removed LCLO

Fig. 14. Wind log example

5. CONCLUSIONS

• Wind power integration into the grid is a complex task. This task is more challenging for small
islanded power systems with no AC interconnections with other power systems;
• Wind power generators should comply with Grid Code technical requirements for secure power
system operations;
• Wind power generation affects frequency control making it especially difficult during low load
periods when little controllable generation is on-line on the system;
• Wind power output control is needed. Further analysis is required regarding the curtailment
methods and levels of wind generation. The Wind Dispatch Application is designed to facilitate
such control from NCC.

Ivan.dudurych@eirgrid.com 10
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] T. Ackermann, J.R. Abbad, I.M. Dudurych, I. Erlich, H. Holttinen, J.R. Kristoffersen, P.E.
Sørensen, “European Balancing Act” (IEEE Power & Energy Magazine, November/December
2007, pages 90-103)
[2] CER, “Wind Generator Connection Policy” ( www.eirgrid.com , July 2004)
[3] EirGrid, New Grid Code for Wind (www.eirgrid.com, November 2007)
[4] ESB National Grid, “Fault Ride Through Issues for Wind Turbine Generators”
(www.eirgrid.com. March 2004).
[5] ESB National Grid, “Frequency Issues for Wind Turbine Generators,” at www.eirgrid.com,
March 2004.
[6] I.M. Dudurych, M. Holly, and M. Power, “Wind Farms in the Ireland’s Power system:
Experience and Analysis” (IEEE St Petersburg Power Tech Proceedings, June 27-30, St
Petersburg, 2005, paper 376).

7. GLOSSARY

AC Alternating Current
AGC Automatic Generation Control
CB Capacitor Bank
CCP Common Coupling Point
DFIG Doubly Fed Induction Generator
DSO Distribution System Operator
EMS Energy Management System
FRT Fault Ride Through
GCT Grid Connected Transformer
HIS Historical Information System
HVDC High Voltage Direct Current
LV Low Voltage
LVRT Low Voltage Ride Through
MEC Maximum Export Capacity
NCC National Control Centre
NI Northern Ireland
RoI Republic of Ireland
RTU Remote Terminal Unit
SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
SEM Single Electricity Market
TSO Transmission System Operator
VCS Voltage Controlled Source
VRS Voltage Regulating System
WCF Control Facility Status
WPS Wind Power Station
WTG Wind Turbine Generator

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