Simulation of the impact of wind power on the transient fault behavior of the Nordic power system

In this paper the effect of wind power on the transient fault behavior of the Nordic power system is investigated. The Nordic power system is the interconnected power system of the countries Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. For the purpose of these investigations the wind turbines installed and connected in eastern Denmark are taken as study case. The current and future wind power situation in eastern Denmark is modeled and short circuit faults in the system simulated. The simulations yield information on (i) how the faults impact on the wind turbines and (ii) how the response of the wind turbines influences the post-fault behavior of the Nordic power system. It is concluded that an increasing level of wind power penetration leads to stronger system oscillations in case of fixed speed wind turbines. It is found that fixed speed wind turbines that merely ride through transient faults have negative impacts on the dynamic response of the system. These negative impacts can be mitigated though, if sophisticated wind turbine control is applied. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.