Validation of a Mechanical Model for Fault Ride-Through: Application to a Gamesa G52 Commercial Wind Turbine

Wind turbine models for the evaluation of fault ride-through capability require the modeling of the electrical and mechanical subsystems. This validation procedure is mainly focused on electrical variables, and thus, a detailed electrical model and a simplified mechanical model are usually proposed. This latter subsystem can present significant errors, leading toward a negative impact on the correct prediction of the retroaction between the rotor and the grid. This fact is especially undesirable under transient events. This paper is focused on the development, adjustment, and validation of a simplified mechanical model, being applied to a commercial wind turbine. For this purpose, the simplified model is adjusted according to a validated and detailed mechanical model developed by Gamesa Corporation in Bladed software package. A comparison between simulated and measured mechanical data of the Gamesa G52 commercial wind turbine submitted to transient events is also included in this paper.