Advanced controls for mitigation of flicker using doubly-fed asynchronous wind turbine-generators

Interconnection of wind generation with power distribution systems may result in rapid voltage variations, or flicker, much more readily than for HV transmission interconnections. Wind turbine generators employing doubly-fed asynchronous generators provide a means to rapidly control reactive power, as well as to smooth variations in real power. This capability is exploited to minimize flicker, despite rapid variations of wind velocity. The principles of distribution voltage control using WTGs with doubly-fed technology are explained, and practical examples of performance are illustrated. Comparisons between DFAG and pitch-regulated induction generators are provided.