Introduction

As the world rapidly shifts towards a sustainable energy future, wind power has emerged as a leading renewable energy source, offering immense potential for decarbonization and energy independence. However, the inherent variability and intermittency of wind generation present significant challenges to the stability, reliability, and control of existing electrical grids. Effective Wind Power System Grid Integration and Control are paramount to harnessing this potential, requiring sophisticated solutions to manage fluctuating power output, maintain voltage and frequency stability, ensure power quality, and enable seamless operation alongside conventional power plants. Without a comprehensive understanding of these integration and control mechanisms, power system operators and developers face difficulties in optimizing grid performance, mitigating risks, and maximizing the economic and environmental benefits of wind energy, hindering the transition to a truly renewable-powered grid. This comprehensive training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master Wind Power System Grid Integration and Control.

This training course is meticulously designed to empower electrical engineers, power system planners, grid operators, renewable energy developers, and researchers with the theoretical understanding and practical tools necessary to address the complexities of Wind Power System Grid Integration and Control. Participants will gain a deep understanding of wind turbine technologies, explore the dynamics of wind power plants, learn about advanced control strategies for grid support, and acquire skills in managing grid stability issues such as voltage and frequency variations, power quality disturbances, and fault ride-through capabilities. The course will delve into topics such as grid codes and interconnection requirements, power electronic converters for wind turbines, energy storage solutions for wind integration, advanced forecasting techniques, and the role of SCADA and EMS in wind farm control. By mastering the principles and practical application of Wind Power System Grid Integration and Control, participants will be prepared to contribute significantly to the successful and reliable integration of wind power into national and regional grids, accelerating the global transition to clean energy.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Electrical Power Engineers
• Power System Planners and Consultants
• Grid Operators and Dispatchers
• Renewable Energy Project Developers (Wind)
• Control System Engineers
• Protection Engineers
• Energy Storage System Integrators
• SCADA/EMS Engineers
• Researchers in Wind Energy and Power Systems
• Policy Makers and Regulators in the Energy Sector

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental characteristics of wind power systems and their interaction with the grid.
• Learn about various wind turbine technologies and their electrical models.
• Acquire skills in analyzing the impacts of wind power variability on grid stability.
• Comprehend techniques for controlling active and reactive power from wind farms.
• Explore strategies for ensuring voltage and frequency stability with high wind penetration.
• Understand the importance of grid codes and interconnection requirements for wind power.
• Gain insights into power electronic converters used in modern wind turbines.
• Develop a practical understanding of fault ride-through (FRT) capabilities of wind turbines.
• Learn about power quality issues caused by wind power and their mitigation.
• Master the role of energy storage systems in enhancing wind power integration.
• Acquire skills in applying forecasting techniques for wind power generation.
• Understand the control and monitoring of wind farms using SCADA/EMS.
• Explore advanced control strategies for wind power plants (e.g., synthetic inertia).
• Develop proficiency in modeling and simulating wind power systems in grid studies.
• Prepare to address technical and operational challenges of large-scale wind integration.

Course Content

Module 1: Fundamentals of Wind Power Systems

• Introduction to wind energy: resource assessment, global status, and future trends.
• Basic principles of wind energy conversion: aerodynamics of wind turbines.
• Types of wind turbines: horizontal axis vs. vertical axis.
• Components of a wind turbine: rotor, gearbox, generator, control system.
• Wind power curve and energy yield estimation.

Module 2: Wind Turbine Electrical Generators

• Overview of common wind turbine generators: DFIG (Doubly Fed Induction Generator), PMSG (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator).
• Operating principles and characteristics of induction generators.
• Principles of synchronous generators and their application in wind turbines.
• Advantages and disadvantages of different generator types for wind power.
• Evolution of generator technologies in modern wind turbines.

Module 3: Power Electronic Converters for Wind Turbines

• Role of power converters in variable-speed wind turbines.
• Types of converters: full-scale converters, back-to-back converters.
• Control of grid-side and generator-side converters.
• Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) techniques for power electronic converters.
• Impact of converters on power quality and grid interaction.

Module 4: Wind Farm Electrical Collection System

• Layout and design of wind farm collection networks: radial, ring, star configurations.
• Medium voltage (MV) AC collection systems.
• High Voltage (HV) AC/DC transmission for offshore wind farms.
• Transformer selection and sizing for wind power plants.
• Electrical losses and voltage drop calculations within the wind farm.

Module 5: Wind Power Variability and Grid Impact

• Nature of wind variability: short-term fluctuations, ramp events, seasonal changes.
• Impact on power system operation: balancing supply and demand.
• Challenges for grid operators: increased reserve requirements, dispatchability.
• Concepts of capacity factor, availability, and curtailment.
• Statistical analysis of wind power output.

Module 6: Grid Codes and Interconnection Requirements

• Importance of grid codes for reliable grid integration of wind power.
• Key requirements: active power control, reactive power/voltage control, frequency support.
• Fault Ride-Through (FRT) capabilities: LVRT, HVRT.
• Power quality requirements: harmonics, flicker, unbalance.
• International and regional grid code variations.

Module 7: Active Power Control and Frequency Support

• Active power control modes of wind turbines: maximum power point tracking (MPPT).
• Pitch control and stall control for power regulation.
• Wind turbine participation in frequency regulation: droop control, synthetic inertia.
• Fast frequency response from wind power plants.
• Ancillary services provided by wind farms for grid stability.

Module 8: Reactive Power and Voltage Control

• Reactive power capabilities of modern wind turbines and converters.
• Voltage control strategies at the wind turbine and wind farm level.
• Use of STATCOMs, SVCs, and other FACTS devices for reactive power compensation.
• Voltage stability issues with high wind penetration.
• Coordinated voltage control between wind farms and the transmission system.

Module 9: Fault Ride-Through (FRT) Capability

• Importance of FRT for grid stability during faults.
• Low Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT) and High Voltage Ride-Through (HVRT) requirements.
• Hardware and software solutions for FRT in wind turbines.
• Impact of FRT on grid protection schemes.
• Testing and verification of FRT compliance.

Module 10: Power Quality Issues and Mitigation

• Sources of power quality disturbances from wind turbines: harmonics, inter-harmonics.
• Flicker and voltage fluctuations caused by wind power.
• Grid code limits for power quality parameters.
• Mitigation techniques: filters, active power filters, advanced converter controls.
• Measurement and monitoring of power quality in wind power plants.

Module 11: Wind Power Forecasting

• Importance of accurate wind power forecasting for grid operations.
• Short-term, medium-term, and long-term forecasting horizons.
• Forecasting methods: physical, statistical, artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML).
• Data requirements for forecasting: wind speed, direction, temperature, pressure.
• Impact of forecasting errors on system reserves and economic dispatch.

Module 12: Energy Storage for Wind Integration

• Role of energy storage in mitigating wind variability and enhancing dispatchability.
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): technologies, characteristics, applications.
• Other storage technologies: pumped hydro, compressed air energy storage (CAES).
• Sizing and optimal operation of energy storage for wind farms.
• Hybrid power plants: combining wind with solar and storage.

Module 13: Wind Farm Control and SCADA/EMS Integration

• Centralized and decentralized control architectures for wind farms.
• Wind farm SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems.
• Integration of wind farm data into utility Energy Management Systems (EMS).
• Monitoring and supervisory control functions: active/reactive power dispatch, curtailment.
• Cybersecurity considerations for wind farm control systems.

Module 14: Modeling and Simulation of Wind Power Systems

• Dynamic modeling of wind turbines and wind farms for power system studies.
• Software tools for grid integration studies (e.g., PSCAD/EMTDC, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSS/E).
• Performing transient stability analysis, voltage stability studies, and short-circuit analysis.
• Simulation of grid code compliance tests.
• Parameterization and validation of wind power plant models.

Module 15: Future Trends and Advanced Concepts

• Offshore wind farm integration challenges and solutions.
• Multi-Terminal HVDC (MTDC) systems for large-scale wind integration.
• Grid-forming inverters and their role in low-inertia grids.
• Power-to-X concepts: converting wind energy into hydrogen or other fuels.
• Smart grid technologies and the evolution of wind power plant controls.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.