Flicker Evaluation of the SeaGen Tidal Power Plant

This paper presents the power quality evaluation of a 1.2-MW tidal power plant. The results show that the unit works well and that the power quality impact is moderate to low and for future units which most likely will have more turbines, the power quality impact will be very low. The wind turbine power quality standard IEC 61400-21 was used in this investigation, and was adequate; however, regarding the connecting transients, there could be a need for a specific standard. It is found that the power level is well controlled at higher water speeds; the maximum 10-min power is found to be 1.21 MW. The maximum 2-s value is found to be 1.46 MW and the maximum 60-s value is found to be 1.30 MW. The reactive power exchange with the grid is negligible; at full load, the power factor is 0.99. The flicker coefficient is between 1 and 5, depending on the grid impedance angle. Finally, it can be said that the maximum total harmonic distortion (THD) for the voltages is found to be 1.2% and for the current 0.65% during operation with the complete power plant.