Power system response to wind power fluctuations

This paper reports on a study aimed at analysis of the power grid response to fluctuations in the wind farms output powers. Using transfer function analysis of thermal generation plants, the paper demonstrates that for an allowable 1 % deviation from 60 Hz, the peak fluctuating power at a single wind farm can go as high as 5% of the total power ratings of the thermal plants. The paper draws attention to the inadequacy of frequency regulation alone in handling the fluctuations and to the increase of wear and tear on hardware, when the governor systems serve as filters to wind power fluctuations. It also calls for more pertinent policies for filtering the fluctuations, prior to entry at the points of connection.