High frequency transients propagation and the multiple reflections effect in collection grids for offshore wind parks

Since the Kyoto Protocol came into force in 2005, Europe is been pushed to turn itself into a green energy market. A lot of efforts had already been made, and a lot more is expected especially in the wind field. The plans of the wind industry to achieve the 20-20-20 program´s targets include a 6 billion Euros investment to make offshore wind parks the most competitive energy source in Europe by 2030, when it´s expected that this kind of energy will supply 33% of the EU´s energy, and 50% by 2050. However, as only 1.5 GW of offshore WP was operating in 2008, there is still a lack of knowledge about the dynamic behavior of this kind of installations. The short distances involved in the collection grid, added to the multiple reflection points and possibility of constructive interference is suspected to be able to create overvoltages higher than the equipment´s withstand levels.