Investigating the potential to maximise wind penetration on distribution networks through active control and the implications for network users and operators

Meeting Irish wind generation targets had lead to very high penetrations of embedded wind generation on distribution networks and will continue to do so over the coming years, Current firm connection policy and little or no use of active voltage control from wind farms requires network reinforcement such that generation can output at its Maximum Export Capacity (MEC) under all network conditions (minimum demand, regular and contingency network configuration) regardless of the frequency of their occurrence. ESB Networks, the Irish distribution system owner and operator, has undertaken an innovative field trials to investigate the potential for active voltage control from wind farms can facilitate increased hosting capacity for generation on existing networks and aid network management in the presence of distributed generation. This paper looks at the application of a range of voltage control strategies including active restriction, demand management and wind turbine reactive control for these purposes, through investigating the potential export which could be achieved on an existing network were such mechanisms employed.