Modifying the Inertial Response of Power-Converter Based Wind Turbine Generators

Inertial response is an important phenomena exhibited by conventional power system connected generators. Inertial response plays an extremely important role in achieving the constant supply-demand energy balance. For conventional generators, inertial response is an inherent characteristic due to the coupling of their rotational speed to the power system frequency. Modem power generation systems such as variable speed wind turbines utilise power converters to decouple the turbines rotational speed from the system frequency. This variable speed operation offers advantages both in increased energy capture and smoother power production. A disadvantage of power-converter based variable speed operation is that it usually results in the loss of the important inertial response. The loss of inertial response can be prevented through the addition of a supplementary control loop in power converter based wind turbines.