Modeling and Simulation of VSC-HVDC Connection for

Wind Power Plants

S. K. Chaudhary, P. Rodriguez P.C. Kjær,
R. Teodorescu, P. W. Christensen
Dept. of Energy Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering
Aalborg University Technical University of Catalonia Vestas Wind Systems A/S,
Denmark Spain Denmark

Extended Abstract:
A large number Wind Power Plants (WPP’s), both onshore and offshore, are being
planned and developed around the world. Large offshore WPP’s have been planned in
Europe. VSC-based HVDC (VSC-HVDC) transmission is a recent technology suitable
for integrating distant offshore WPP requiring submarine cable transmission. Apart from
not drawing any cable charging current, the VSC-converters provide fast and independent
control of both active and reactive power at both terminals ends of the HVDC
transmission. Asynchronous connection, ability to control voltage and frequency,
especially on the offshore terminal, black start capability are the major advantages.
Further, VSC-HVDC transmission will be a building block for the conceptual DC super-
grid overlying the AC grid in Europe.
On the WPP side, the variable speed wind turbine generators utilizing Doubly Fed
Induction Generators have been developed to extract maximum power from the wind.
Another possibility is the use of full scale converters to decouple the synchronous or any
other type of generator frequency from the grid frequency. WPP generation is naturally
stochastic as wind is unpredictable in short time and continuously varying
instantaneously. Moreover, the wind turbine generators are usually characteristically
different from the conventional turbo or hydro generators due to their small unit sizes and
low rotating inertia. Grid operators have issued grid codes specifying the minimum
conditions for the grid connection of large WPP’s, though a better performance will
always be preferred. Interfacing them with power electronic converters and controllers,
like full scale converters, VSC-HVDC, provides a possibility of tuning their behavior
such that they behave like conventional power stations and help maintain the grid
stability.
Both WPP and VSC-HVDC are recent and evolving technologies. This paper intends
to describe the modeling and simulation of VSC-HVDC transmission system. VSC
models based on IGBT switching behavior tend to be slow. Average value models, on the
other hand, speed up the simulation while retaining power frequency characteristics.
More realistic models tend to capture the converter dynamics and thus enable transient
simulation studies. Both switching model of the VSC converter and the model using
equivalent current and voltage sources have been studied and their performance will be
demonstrated.
This paper presents a simplified yet realistic model for simulation studies in both
steady-state and transient conditions. In the wind power plant model, aerodynamic effects
and pitch controller model has been ignored; while the 2-mass model for the turbine and
generator system has been retained. The generator is modeled as a synchronous machine
with constant flux linkage. This can be modeled as a voltage source behind impedance.
The generator is connected to the collector bus through a full-scale converter, step-up
transformer and AC-cables. A WPP is simulated in terms of few such generators and
other current sources mimicking these generators in terms of current response at the
collector bus. VSC-HVDC control loops have been included.
In the beginning, the system energization sequence from the onshore grid has been
demonstrated. Thus, the black start capability of the VSC-HVDC system is observed. The
WPP is synchronized and then loaded to full power generation level. VSC-HVDC’s
response to voltage support when subject to dynamic voltage variations has been
simulated. A case has been studied to simulate the low voltage ride through capability of
the system using chopper-controlled resistors.