Wind Farms
Wind Farms
...a lot depends on the manufacturer of the wind turbine when talking about the actual generator/converter topology. It seems that GE has a patent on many of the controls associated with the doubly-fed machines. some of the doubly-fed machines can operate with slip being +/- 30%. Some machines are limited to 1% slip.
design of the substation can be tricky as you have to comply with an interconnection agreement which usually has strict requirements on voltage and power factor at the point of interconnection, which can be miles away from the site. shunt capacitors are used many times, and even reactors are used to limit fault currents at the 34.5 kV substation bus. sometimes harmonics can be an issue and this may require a tuned filter.
I have found the most challenging thing about wind parks is the timeline of the project! these projects can really move when the owner/investor has the right market signals/timing!
ciao,
matt