Transient overvoltages simulation due to the integration process of large wind and photovoltaic farms with utility grids

Abstract

Integration of the renewable energy sources with utility grids is receiving more impressive concerns to provide extra-green energy sources towork in parallel or to phase out the sources with fossil fuels. The effects of the transient surges are the most vital parameters that are used in the insulation coordination studies for integrated systems of smart grid. Therefore, the electromagnetic transient overvoltages caused by switching surges and faults on the smart grids are the competitive design issues. Moreover, the contingency analysis of either sources or loads patching/dispatching is one of the major issues in the design process of the power system grid. The transient overvoltages imposed over the integrated grid systems need to be more properly investigated using most sophisticated numerical methods. Although, the transient surges have relatively short durations, but it may cause severe overvoltages stresses for the insulation systems and consequently may yield to insulation failure. This paper presents the simulation of large-scale renewable energy resources integrating with the utility grid. The transient overvoltages appear over the utility grids due to different renewable energy resources are investigated. Moreover, the different methods that proposed to be used to suppress, mitigate, and control these overvoltages and to minimize their probable sever effects over the permissible insulation level (BIL) are elaborated. Furthermore, the full simulation of the IEEE 39 grid integrated with large Photovoltaic and wind farms using EMTP-RV /MATLAB is developed. In addition, different proposed methods to mitigate and to control internal surges are investigated. Finally, the obtained results are presented with very good consistency level and compliance with other research studies found in literature and with the different standards related to the renewable energy sources.