Fault current and fault voltage analysis of power transmission systems with high penetration of inverter-based wind generators

Abstract

This paper highlights the evolution of wind power sources in the modern energy scenario, emphasizing the impacts of inverter-based generators, namely Full-Converter and DFIG (Doubly-Fed Induction Generator), on fault currents and fault voltages in transmission systems. The studies were carried out through computer simulations, with an EMTP (Electromagnetic Transients Program) type software. A power system with high penetration of such renewable generations was modeled and several contingency scenarios were simulated in a transmission line that performs the connection of the wind power plant to the grid. The scenarios included the variation of parameters such as fault type, inception instant angles, resistance, and distance, to explore the main differences between the contributions to the fault of a wind power plant and conventional generation. Among the atypical analyzed characteristics, the following can be highlighted: the absence of the DC (Direct Current) component for Full-Converter generation, independent of fault inception instant angle and distance variation; low levels of the fault contributions at the wind power plant terminal; low levels of voltages at the wind power plant terminal, evidencing the high SIR (Source Impedance Ratio) characteristic of these generations; atypical relations between the fault resistance and measured currents; and others. The obtained results show the importance of further studies on the impacts of inverter-based generations on fault currents and voltages, allowing developments that are able to improve control and protection systems for grids with high penetration of this wind generation topologies