Conductor Selection of Transmission Line
Connected to Wind Farm Considering the
Operation Characteristic
Liu lun
Yong-jun Zhang
Guangdong Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Technology
(South China University of Technology)
Guangzhou, China
65637380@qq.com
AbstractA stochastic model of wind farm is built in the
paper, and the influence of wind power on voltage and line
power flow of distribution network is analyzed. Wind power
branch and parallel branch are defined and simulated, in
addition, the influence of wind farm on the transmission
lines power is analyzed. And the mathematical model of
conductor type selection taking into account the grid and
wind power station is built to solve the problem of the
selection for conductor wire under the influence of wind
power. Moreover, the general law of conductor type selection
considering wind power of different capacities and different
positions is revealed. Simulation results show that the method
of conductor type selection is effective.
Index Termswind power farm; transmission line;
transmission capacity; conductor selection
I. INTRODUCTION
Nowadays wind power is considered one of the most
important green energies with broad application prospect,
and it has become the most mature renewable energy
technology [1]-[3]. However, as one of distributed
generation, grid-connected wind farms will have some
impacts and influences on the original grid, which contains
no distributed generation [4]-[5]. When the wind farm
connects to the power grid, distribution network will
change from single-power supply grid to multi-power
supply grid. In this case, the size and direction of
transmission power in distribution line will change. And
then it will affect the voltage and load flow of the power
grid, which brings difficulties to power dispatching [6].
Supported by the National High Technology Research and Development of
China (863 Programme) (2012AA050201)
CCC Notice: 978-1-4799-2522-3/13/$31.00 2013 IEEE
Hao-jun Zhu
Grid Planning & Research Center, Guangdong Power Grid
Corporation
Guangzhou, China
Study on the wind power generation and its influence
on the power grid has been widely and deeply carried out
by domestic and foreign scholars, and has achieved some
progress. In References [7]-[8], influence of uncertainty of
wind power on power network planning is introduced, but
the problems of transmission line overload caused by wind
power integration into power system are not considered.
Reference [9] presents that wind power integration may
cause overload of transmission lines in power grid
operation mode, and the solution is to limit the output of
wind farm. In [10], the authors use the steady state power
flow calculation method to get maximum power injection
of wind farm connected to power system, in order to
prevent overload of transmission line and over-limit of
nodal voltage. To reduce the adverse impact of wind power
on the system and to ensure the security and stability of
power grid operation, it has great practical significance to
considering the impact of wind power grid integration in
the power network planning model.
In this paper, the influence of wind farm on line power
flow and network topology structure planning is studied.
Meanwhile, the general law of conductor type selection
considering wind power of different capacities and
different positions is revealed. The paper is organized as
follows. First, a stochastic model of wind farm is built, and
the affect of wind farm on power flow of each line is
analyzed with MATLAB. Secondly, the mathematical
model for load and active power of transmission line is set
up. According to this model, the maximum transmission
capacity of lines is calculated, and then types of conductors
are selected. Thirdly, conductor type selection with the
impact of wind power grid integration is shown with a
certain regional power network.

II. A STOCHASTIC MODEL OF WIND FARM

The power factor distribution and the probability
density distribution of actual active power of wind farm are
very complicated. If the probabilistic power flow is
calculated by using the actual model, there will be a
problem of high computation cost and long computation
Figure 1. Probability density distribution of active power of wind farm
time. For easy to calculate, the probability density
distribution of actual power of wind farm is better to be Reactive power is mainly limited by power factor for
simplified properly. most of wind farms. With the power factor decreasing, the
The width of each statistical interval can be defined by load ability of wind farm will decrease too. So it always
T, which is a percentage that is able to be divided exactly tries to improve the power factor of wind generator to meet
by 1. About wind power, T is a percentage on installed 1 [11]. And in general, it is required that the power factor
wind capacity. of wind turbines shouldnt be less than 0.95[12]. If power
factor is up to the standard, the output of reactive power is
only controlled by wind farm itself; while capacitor
NT = 1 / T (1)
compensators are managed by power grid dispatching. For
this reason, the reactive power output of wind farm is
Where, NT denotes the number of statistical interval.
unpredictable in actual operation.
We can perform probability statistics for each interval
Although reactive power can be obtained though the
that is [(i-1)T, iT](i=1,2,,NT), and the midpoint that is
calculation of the actual power factor distribution of wind
[(i-1)T+iT]/2 will represent the interval to involve in
farm, the practical output of reactive power is mainly
power flow calculation.
influenced by subjective judgment of operators. In this
As to the accuracy of simplified model, there are some case, the reactive power probability of wind farm is
following considerations. Obviously, with sufficient data, considered to be average distribution under the
the smaller T is, the closer to the actual distribution the precondition of qualified power factor in actual calculation.
simplified probability distribution is. However, the amount
In the same way of probability density distribution of
of data isnt much in fact, because the total sampling time
active power, the simplified probability density distribution
for the output of wind farm is usually one year, which
of power factor also can be obtained, which is shown in
means that sampling interval is 15 minutes and sampling
Fig.2.
sites are 35040 in all. In this case, the statistical results of
some sections will be distorted. In addition to the problem
of computing time, it isnt better to make T too small.
Therefore, there is a contradiction on the value of T.

Based on the considerations above, we can make T

equal to 20% for the wind farm that rated power is P. That
is, probability density distribution statistics can be
conducted with the statistical interval of 20%P. In this
way, the simplified probability density distribution of wind
farm active power can be obtained, which is shown in
Fig.1.
Figure 2. Probability density distribution of power factor of wind farm
 In Fig.2, positive power factor represents that wind
generator outputs reactive power, while negative one
represents that wind generator absorbs reactive power.
III. INFLUENCE OF WIND FARM ON POWER
FLOW CALCULATION
As most of wind farms are located in remote area and
far away from load centers, wind farm is usually connected
to terminal substation with transmission line, of which
voltage class is from 35kV to 110kV. And 35kV~110kV
network used to be single-power supply grid. Therefore,
when wind farm is connected to the power grid,
distribution network will become double power supply
grid, which is shown in Fig.3.
Figure 3. Diagram of wind power integrating into power grid
In Fig.3, the key bus A represents the substation that its
voltage class is higher than wind farm; WF represents wind
farm; W represents the node connecting wind farm and
power grid; B, C and D represent transformer substations.
Wind farm is usually connected to the end of power line,
and there are less than 3 nodes from connection point to the
key bus. This is mainly for limiting transmission distance
and reducing network loss [6]. The line from the key bus to
connection point is defined as wind power branch, such as
AW; while the one from the key bus to other substations is
defined as wind power parallel branch, such as AD.
As a power supply, wind farm can meet a part of load
demand, and then the power from the grid will relatively
decrease. Wind farm provides power for load, even
transmits power to the grid with higher voltage class,
which will result in transmission power of some lines
changing. In this case, there is a danger of line overload.
For the IEEE9 system, Node 2 is connected to a wind
farm in the paper as an example, and the branch between
Node 2 and Node 4 is disconnected as well as Generator 1
and Generator 9. The rated power of the wind farm is
49.5MW with the stochastic model like above. Moreover,
the data of other generators parameters, branch parameters
and load power that probabilistic power flow calculation
needs are shown in Reference [7]. After modeling, the
influence of wind power on the voltage expectation and
fluctuation of each node as well as line flow is studied with
MATLAB. Then we change capacity and position of wind
farm to simulate again, then compare and analyze the
results. From the analysis, wind farm brings great influence
on wind power branch but nearly no influence on wind
power parallel branch. Therefore, when wind farm is
connected to the grid, we just need to consider its influence
on wind power branch.
IV. MAXIMUM TRANSMISSION CAPACITY
OF WIND POWER BRANCH
A. Load Forecasting
The period of line planning is generally 5 years for
short-term planning, 10 years for medium-term planning,
and 15 years for long-term planning.
The load growth in 5 ~ 15 years after line putting into
operation should be considered when planning, and the
load is obtained with the repeating peak load under normal
operation, namely the annual maximum load. If
the development of the power system is not clear, the
selected conductor section shouldnt be too small.
Reference [13] gives the growth rate of annual
maximum load, and the annual load could be forecasted by
the following equation:
Pn= Pm (1+)n-m (2)
Where, m denotes the known year of maximum load which
is Pm; n denotes the planning year, of which the annual
maximum load is Pn; denotes the growth rate of annual
maximum load.
In addition, because the annual minimum load usually
appears in typhoon period or holiday, especially during the
Spring Festival. At that time, the load growth is so slow
and small that the annual minimum load is considered to be
nearly unchanged in the paper.
B. Maximum Transmission Capacity of Line In Lagging
Phase Operation of Wind Generator
As shown in Fig. 1, wind power branch AW contains
load nodes B and C, of which the annual maximum load
are PBmax and PCmax, while the minimum load are PBmin and
PCmin. And the load power factor is cosL. As to the wind
farm, the power output is PW, and the maximum power is
PWmax; the power factor is cosW.
 In the lagging phase operation of wind farm, which the maximum value, of which square root is the maximum
means that cosW is a positive value, the maximum transmission capacity of Line BC in leading phase
transmission capacity of Line CW is operation of wind generator.

The maximum transmission capacity of Line AB is

P
SCW max = W max (3)
cos W SAB 2 = PAB 2 + QAB 2
= ( PW PB PC ) + ( PB tan L + PC tan L + PW tan W )
2 2

The maximum transmission capacity of Line BC is

= (1 + tan 2 L )( PB + PC ) 2 + (1 + tan 2 W ) PW 2
2( PB + PC ) PW (1 tan L tan W )
P P P
SBC max = max C max W max C min (4) =(1 + tan 2 L ) PL 2 + (1 + tan 2 W ) PW 2
cos cos cos L
L W
2 PL PW (1 tan L tan W )
PWmin PW PWmax , PBmin + PCmin PL PBmax + PCmax
The maximum transmission capacity of Line AB is
(8)
PBmax + PC max
cos Equation (8) denotes a ternary quadratic function about PW,
S AB max = max L (5)
P PB and PC, where |PW-PB-PC| represents the transmission
P + PC min
W max Bmin active power PAB of Line AB. And
cos W cos L PB*tanL+PC*tanL+PW*tanW represents the reactive
power QAB. The function is continuous on its closed
C. Maximum Transmission Capacity of Line In Leading interval, so it exits the maximum value, of which square
Phase Operation of Wind Generator root is the maximum transmission capacity of Line AB in
In the leading phase operation of wind farm, which leading phase operation of wind generator.
means that cosW is a negative value, the maximum
At last, the maximum transmission capacity of each
transmission capacity of Line CW is
line in different operation of wind generator is compared,
and the bigger one is what we needs.
P
SCW max = W max (6) V. CONDUCTOR SELECTION UNDER THE
cos W
INFLUENCE OF WIND FARM
Now, the conductor section is selected according to the
The maximum transmission capacity of Line BC is
economic current density stipulated in the code currently in
effect. Therefore, the conductor section is obtained with the
SBC 2 = PBC 2 + QBC 2 maximum transmission capacity Smax as below:
= ( PW PC ) + ( PC tan L + PW tan W )
2 2

= (1 + tan 2 L ) PC 2 + (1 + tan 2 W ) PW 2 (7) Smax

A= 103 (9)
2 PC PW (1 tan L tan W ) 3U N J
PWmin PW PWmax , PCmin PC PCmax
Where, A denotes conductor section, of which unit is mm2;
UN denotes rated voltage, of which unit is kV; J denotes
Equation (7) denotes a binary quadratic function about PW
the economic current density, of which unit is A/mm2.
and PC, where |PW-PC| represents the transmission active
power PBC of Line BC. And tan corresponds to a The economic current density of common wire
pre-specified constant power factor cos, so materials under the different yearly largest load used hours
PC*tanL+PW*tanW represents the reactive power QBC. is given in Table 1.
The function is continuous on its closed interval, so it exits
 TABLE I. ECONOMIC CURRENT DENSITY TABLE III. MAXIMUM TRANSMISSION CAPACITY FOR FIVE-YEAR PLAN

Operation of wind
Line CW Line BC Line AB
Yearly largest load used hours generator
Wire materials
3000 3000~5000 5000 Lagging phase operation 52.11 51.35 47.62
Aluminium wire 1.65 1.15 0.9 Leading phase operation 52.11 51.52 56.81
Copper wire 3.0 2.25 1.75 Maximum transmission
52.11 51. 52 56.81
VI. SIMULATION RESULTS FROM SAMPLE capacity

SYSTEM
TABLE IV. MAXIMUM TRANSMISSION CAPACITY FOR TEN-YEAR PLAN
In this section, simulation studies are carried out on an
actual distribution network containing wind farm in Operation of wind
Line CW Line BC Line AB
Guangdong Province. The wind farm, rated power generator

49.5MW, is connected to the end of the grid by a line of Lagging phase operation 52.11 51.35 47.62

110kV voltage level. And the wind power branch contains Leading phase operation 52.11 53.13 104.68
two 110kV substations B and C, as shown in Fig. 4. Maximum transmission
52.11 53.13 104.68
capacity

C. Conductor Selection Calculation

According to the distribution network plan in this area,
Figure 4. Diagram of one wind power integrating into power grid the yearly largest load used hours range from 3000 to 5000
in five years. The economic current density will be 1.15A/
A. Load Forecasting mm2 if aluminium is used for each line.
The load of each substation in 2011 is known, and the
TABLE V. CALCULATED CONDUCTOR SECTION FOR FIVE-YEAR PLAN
maximum load and the minimum load for 5-year and
10-year planning is obtained according to Equation (2), Item Line CW Line BC Line AB
where n is equal to 2015 or 2020, and is equal to 13%. No wind power 0 131.6 259.3
The results are given in Table.2. Wind power integration 237.8 235.1 259.3

In Table.5, calculated conductor section of Line BC is

TABLE II. ANNUAL MAXIMUM LOAD OF SUBSTATIONS IN WIND POWER
131.6mm2 in the original 5-year plan, which will risk line
BRANCH
over-load once wind farm connects to the grid. Considering
Substations in wind the influence of wind power, the conductor section of Line
2011 2015 2020
power branch BC and Line CW can be selected as 240 mm2, and Line
C 16.80 27.39 50.47 AB can be selected as 300mm2.
B 16.30 26.58 48.98
TABLE VI. CALCULATED CONDUCTOR SECTION FOR TEN-YEAR PLAN
In addition, the annual minimum load is nearly
unchanged, which are 0.72MW for Substation B and Item Line CW Line BC Line AB
3.54MW for Substation C in 2011. No wind power 0 223.5 453.9

Wind power integration 237.8 242.5 477.8

B. Maximum Transmission Capacity Calculation of Line
Table.6 shows that in the original 10-year plan, Line
According to the agreement of wind power integration,
CW, BC, and AB risk line over-load once wind farm
wind generator is asked to operate with the power factor
connects to the grid. Considering the influence of wind
that is leading phase 0.95 or lagging phase 0.95. And the
power, the conductor section of Line CW can be selected
load power factor is assumed to be lagging phase 0.95. The
as 240 mm2, Line BC can be selected as 300 mm2, and
following table shows the maximum transmission capacity
Line AB can be selected as 2*240mm2.
of each line.
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