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Configuration and EMT Simulation of the 240-bus MiniWECC System Integrating Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs)

Buxin She, Hisham Mahmood, Marcelo Elizondo, Veronica Adetola, Yuqing Dong

TL;DR

This work addresses the challenge of incorporating offshore wind farms (OWFs) into WECC and the need for accurate EMT simulations to capture high-frequency dynamics. It delivers a PSCAD-based 240-bus miniWECC model with detailed OWF representations, using sequential initialization to enable stable startup of a large EMT system. The OWFs use Type-4 wind turbines with MPPT, pitch, grid-side and rotor-side controls, plus a DC-link chopper for protection, and are connected via radial HVAC to Southern Oregon POIs; the approach is validated through wind variation and fault scenarios. The results establish a foundational use case for validating fast dynamic performance of WECC systems with high OWF penetration and set the stage for extending to HVAC upgrades and MTDC backbones in future work.

Abstract

As offshore wind farms (OWFs) become increasingly prevalent in Northern California and Southern Oregon, they introduce faster dynamics into the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) system, reshaping its dynamic behavior. Accordingly, electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation is essential to assess high frequency dynamics of the WECC system with integrated OWFs. Against this background, this paper presents the integration of detailed dynamic models of OWFs into a 240-bus miniWECC system in PSCAD software. The sequential initialization technique is employed to facilitate the smooth initiation of a large-scale system in an EMT simulation. The performance of the configured model is assessed under wind speed variations and grounded faults, demonstrating the effectiveness of the miniWECC system with OWFs. This system serves as a valuable basic use case for validating the fast dynamic performance of future WECC systems with high penetration of wind energy.

Configuration and EMT Simulation of the 240-bus MiniWECC System Integrating Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs)

TL;DR

This work addresses the challenge of incorporating offshore wind farms (OWFs) into WECC and the need for accurate EMT simulations to capture high-frequency dynamics. It delivers a PSCAD-based 240-bus miniWECC model with detailed OWF representations, using sequential initialization to enable stable startup of a large EMT system. The OWFs use Type-4 wind turbines with MPPT, pitch, grid-side and rotor-side controls, plus a DC-link chopper for protection, and are connected via radial HVAC to Southern Oregon POIs; the approach is validated through wind variation and fault scenarios. The results establish a foundational use case for validating fast dynamic performance of WECC systems with high OWF penetration and set the stage for extending to HVAC upgrades and MTDC backbones in future work.

Abstract

As offshore wind farms (OWFs) become increasingly prevalent in Northern California and Southern Oregon, they introduce faster dynamics into the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) system, reshaping its dynamic behavior. Accordingly, electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation is essential to assess high frequency dynamics of the WECC system with integrated OWFs. Against this background, this paper presents the integration of detailed dynamic models of OWFs into a 240-bus miniWECC system in PSCAD software. The sequential initialization technique is employed to facilitate the smooth initiation of a large-scale system in an EMT simulation. The performance of the configured model is assessed under wind speed variations and grounded faults, demonstrating the effectiveness of the miniWECC system with OWFs. This system serves as a valuable basic use case for validating the fast dynamic performance of future WECC systems with high penetration of wind energy.
Paper Structure (16 sections, 3 equations, 6 figures)

This paper contains 16 sections, 3 equations, 6 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Basic 240-bus MiniWECC System for EMT Simulation
  3. MiniWECC System Overview
  4. Configuration of the Basic PSCAD Case
  5. SG-based miniWECC system
  6. Configuration of grid-following inverters
  7. Sequential Initilization
  8. Modeling, Configuring, and Integrating Offshore Wind Farms
  9. Modeling and Configuration of OWFs
  10. Modeling and control
  11. Sequential initilization
  12. Integration of OWFs into the MiniWECC System
  13. Demonstration
  14. Scenario 1: Flat Run and Wind Speed Variation
  15. Scenario 2: Grounded Faults
  16. ...and 1 more sections

Figures (6)

  • Figure 1: Diagram of 240-bus miniWECC system with integrated OWFs.
  • Figure 2: Diagram of PSCAD modules: (a) basic components converted from E-Tran; (b) interconnected areas of miniWECC system converted from E-Tran; (c) self-configured GFL IBR in parallel with ideal voltage source.
  • Figure 3: Sequenctial initialization for EMT simulation: (a) basic miniWECC system, (b) Off-shore wind farms.
  • Figure 4: Configuration of Type 4 wind turbine and its control system.
  • Figure 5: Dynamic responses of OWFs in Scenario 2: (a) wind speed variation; (b) active power injection.
  • ...and 1 more figures