Investigation of the Impact of Fault Characteristics on the Cost-Effectiveness of Doubly Fed Induction Generator-Based Wind Systems in Withstanding Low-Voltage Ride-Through

Abstract

Wind farms utilizing doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) can have a significant impact on the stability of power networks as both the stator and rotor of the DFIG are linked to the grid, which can result in excessive overcurrent and overvoltage in the event of a grid fault and can activate the protective mechanism, leading to the disconnection of the WF and generating instability in the system. One term that is often mentioned in the literature is low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) capability, which is crucial to the stability of microgrids (MGs). To handle LVRT, advanced protection schemes or supporting devices are required. In addition, MGs must comply with the operational limits imposed by different countries for LVRT. Therefore, numerous solutions for improving LVRT have been proposed, including external approaches that are expensive to adopt and internal procedures that provide economic gains but are more difficult to apply. Consequently, to help lower the cost of installing WFs, the study investigates how fault characteristics affect MGs’ ability to meet grid LVRT code requirements or even choose the right code to be used. It also aims to give a clear understanding of how fault characteristics affect the grid’s behavior during different types of faults, which will be helpful in choosing the best LVRT-enhancing method or device and for determining the optimal ratings for these devices, and thus reduce the cost of installation. The study offers case studies and simulations using Matlab 2024/Simulink, which could help engineers to ensure reliable grid integration of renewable energy sources in a cost-effective manner.