Energy storage system-based power control for grid-connected wind power farm

Wind power is characterized as intermittent with stochastic fluctuations, which can result in deviation of grid frequency and voltage when the wind power ratio is high enough. These effects have a definite impact on stability and power quality of grid operation. This paper proposes an energy storage system (ESS) based power control for a grid-connected wind power system to improve power quality and stability of the power system. Vanadium redox flow battery (VRB), as an environmentally-friendly battery provided with many advantages, is employed in the ESS. A dynamic mathematical model of VRB is built by using an equivalent circuit, and its charging and discharging characteristics are analyzed. The VRB's stable voltage is available in a wide range (around 20-80% state of charge), which is suitable for utilization of a single-stage AC/DC converter in the VRB-based ESS. With a proposed energy storage control method, VRB-based ESS is added at the exit of the grid-connected wind farm to filter fluctuations of wind power, which ensures that smooth power will be injected into the grid and which improves power quality of the power system. Simulations and experiments are carried out to verify the proposed power control method for these grid-connected wind power systems. The grid-connected wind farm with VRB-based ESS, wind speed (characterized as gust and stochastic wind), and wind turbines are modeled in simulations. Simulation results show that the grid-injected active power from the wind farm is effectively smoothed, and reactive power support can be provided for the grid by the designed VRB-based ESS. Experimental verification is achieved with a low power bench, where a RT-LAB real-time simulation platform and a direct torque controlled induction motor simulate a real wind turbine and a wind speed model is built in the RT-LAB real-time simulation platform. The experimental results verify the proposed scheme through demonstrating a stable and smooth power flow injected into the grid though the wind power fluctuated. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.