WIND TURBINE &

HARMONICS

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TOPICS

Harmonics & its impact

Wind turbine.
Harmonics on wind turbines.
Harmonic analysis methods
Mitigation methods.
Case studies.

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What is harmonics

Modern low voltage networks increasingly have non-linear loads

installed that draw non-sinusoidal current from the power
distribution system. The load current causes voltage drop through
the system impedance which distort the original sinusoidal supply
voltage. The frequency of the harmonic is the integral multiples of
the basic oscillation and are denoted by the ordinal number n, i.e.
7th harmonic of 50 hz supply frequency is 350 hz.

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 Non Sinusoidal Waveform
Linear Load Non Linear Load
U

A load is non-linear when the current it draws does not have the same waveform as the
supply voltage. the current that has a high harmonic content. The harmonic spectrum
depends on the type of load. i.e. switch-mode power supplies, motors during start-up,
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transformers during switch-on, frequency-controled motors....
Common Loads in any Applications

Light and dimming controls

Computers and receptacles loads

HVAC

Battery chargers

UPS

These are all deforming types of loads

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Waveform Distortion

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Waveform Distortion (continues.)

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 Impact of Harmonics
Impact of 3rd harmonics Impact of 5th harmonics

Fundament al Fr equency Wavef or m

Fif t h Har monic Wavef or m
Dist or t ed Wavef or m

Fundamental 3rd and 5th harmonics Resultant Distorted waveform

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Harmonics

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Harmonics

Harmonics such as the 7th,

which rotate with the same
sequence as the fundamental,
are called positive sequence

Harmonics such as the 5th,

which rotate in the opposite
sequence as the fundamental,
are called negative sequence

Triplen harmonics (3rd and

9th) which don't rotate at all
because they're in phase with
each other, are called zero
sequence
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Impact of Harmonics

An excess of negative-sequence
harmonics (5th) from the nonlinear loads Generator Rotor Retadation
generates rotating mmf of different Transformer Increased
frequency in the alternators that retards Eddy Current And Hysteresis Loss
the rotor Distribution System Skin Effect -
Increased Line Loss
The harmonic distorted power supply to Power Factor Poor True PF
the motor loads lead to increased heating Capacitor Harmonic Overvoltages
of windings Electronic Devices Malfunctioning
General - Heat
The zero sequence harmonics(triplen)
lead to excessive loading of the neutral
The validation reports explain the
mitigation of harmonics to counter these
The negative sequence and zero
impacts
sequence harmonics are further
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complicated due to harmonic resonance
Impact on Captive Generation

Reverse harmonic current flow distorts voltage waveform.

Distorted voltage create rotating MMF of different frequency
Such rotating field cause rotor to retard.
Due to reverse harmonic current flow, rotor encounter blocking
movement.
Extreme temperature rise due to harmonics.
Reduced life due to heating
High fuel consumption

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Impact on Transformer

Transformers are subject to repeatitive voltage crest and magnetic unblanace

due to reverse harmonic flow thus affecting the voltage regulation of the
transformer.

Transformers are underutilised to avoid tripping and failure of electrical

devices.

Increases the iron losses in the magnetic core.

Increases the eddy current losses, thus affecting the operating temperature.

The temperature rise exceeds the normal loading pattern in the presence of
harmonic due to higher heating of harmonic current.
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Impact on Distribution
Higher flow of nett current due to harmonic current leading to higher
distribution / transformer losses

Higher heating in all electrical components due to harmonic frequency

High voltage crest leading to increased failure rates.

Rotating m/c are subjected to rotor jerking and retardation caused by the
reverse harmonic current flow

Elevated neutral current due to triplen harmonics

Frequent tripping of breakers , melting of fuses & errors in metering systems

Under utilisation of kva & reduced life for all electrical devices

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Impact on Electronic Devices

UPS & SMPS COMPUTERS

Nuisance failure / tripping Pc crash

Mal function due to phase shifting Harddisk errors

of firing circuitry control supply
Monitor flickering / blanking
Increased failure rate

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Impact on Wind Power Plant

Harmonics causes distortion s in current and voltage waveforms

For grid integration limit is imposed on the current and voltage deviation from
the sinusoidal waveform.
Even though the amplitude is very less at these harmonics order. Due to the
presence of capacitance and inductance harmonic resonance will occur.
Once resonance occurs, the amplitude will be very high which will damage the
transformers , power factor correction capacitance etc.

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Impact on Power Factor

Angle between fund current & harmonic net current.

Ratio between fund current to true line current

Ia - Active Current
Ir - Apparent Current
Ih - Actual Current due to
harmonic distortion
- Displacement angle
- Phase Displacement
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due to harmonic Current

Effect of Harmonics on Capacitors

Capacitor reactance, Xc decreases at harmonic frequency.

Even for minor harmonics capacitor is overloaded due to higher current.
Unbalanced loading makes capacitors to be overloaded due to circulating
harmonic current in delta connected capacitors.
Switching surges of capacitors like inrush current, transient overvoltage etc..
aggravate in presence of harmonics.
In presence of harmonics switching operations of capacitors needs to be
avoided or proper controls shall be provided.
Shifting of resonance frequency during low loads & fixed capacitance needs to
be evaluated for load conditions to avoid failure of capacitors.

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Resonance

Phenomenon in which the LC resonance frequency matches the harmonic

frequency

Reactance of capacitance (Xc) and inductance reactance (Xl) are equal

at resonant frequency.

For clear understanding - Xc is inversely proportional to frequency &

(Xl) is directly proportional to frequency.

Depending on type of resonance i.e. Parallel or series resonance, the

impact will be high current or high voltage, provided system
resonance frequency matches to harmonic frequency.

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Series Resonance
Exists between lv capacitors &
transformer reactance as HV
resonant circuit
At resonance frequency, net
impedance is very low - (negligible
of resistive type) leading to
excessive current in capacitors &
transformer.
Excessive current leads to failure of
capacitors & deterioration of
transformer.
Compared to parallel resonance,
difficult to design for suppression of
harmful effects due to HV side
harmonics (from other parallel
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connected feeders )
Parallel Resonance
Exists between LV capacitors &
load inductance
At resonance frequency, net
impedance of circuit increases to
very high value blocking harmonic
voltages & harmonic current from
supply side
Parallel LC circuit starts resonating
between them leading to very
high voltage & very high
circulating current in parallel LC
circuit thus damaging total LV side
of electrical system.
Comparatively easy to suppress
but after careful study due to
varying indl. Loads thus effectively
varying Xl & varying resonance 21
frequency.
Effects of resonance

On LC resonance frequency matching to harmonic frequency and sufficient level

harmonics are present then resonance ( parallel or series) occurs.
Leading to
Parallel resonance cause extremely high voltage & circulating current in LC loop.
Mostly this results in capacitor failure or capacitor derating & load side insulation
failure ( like motor winding failure or repeated fuse failure or excessive conductor
heating).
Series resonance cause excessive current in capacitors and power transformers

Again leads capacitor failure or capacitor derating & end turn insulation of
transformer affected.

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IEEE GUIDELINES

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IEEE 519

IEEE 519 recommended practices and requirements for harmonic control in

electric power systems.

Specifies supply voltage and load current harmonic limits at PCC.

IEEE 519a guide for applying harmonic limits on power systems

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IEEE 519 Voltage Limits

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IEEE 519 Current Limits

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WIND TURBINE

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Wind Turbine

Functions
Convert the kinetic energy in to mechanical energy by using blades.
Convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy by using generators.

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Classification of Wind Turbine Based on
Control Mechanism
Pitch
Regulation
Mechanical
control
Stall
Regulation

Wind Type 1
Turbine
Type 2

Speed
Type 3
control

Type 4

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Type 5
Type 1 (Fixed Speed)

Type 1 WTG is implemented

with Squirrel Cage induction
Generator.
Turbine speed is fixed to the
electrical grid frequency.
Directly connected to the
transformer.
Soft starter and Capacitors are
used to regulate the reactive
power and large starting
current.

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Type 2 (Limited Speed Variable)

Similar to TYPE 1.
Includes a variable resistor in the
rotor circuit.
The variable resistors are
connected into the rotor circuit
softly and can control the rotor
currents quite rapidly so as to keep
constant power during gusting
conditions, and can influence the
machines dynamic response during
grid disturbances.

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Type 3 (Variable Speed With Partial
Power Electronic Control)
Type 3 turbine, known commonly as the
Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) or
Doubly Fed Asynchronous Generator (DFAG).
Contains a variable frequency ac excitation
(instead of resistance) to the rotor circuit.
It contains two three-phase windings, one
stationary and one rotating, both separately
connected to equipment outside the
generator. Thus the term "doubly fed".
One winding is directly connected to the
output, and produces 3-phase AC power at
the desired grid frequency.
The other winding is connected to 3-phase
AC power at variable frequency. This input
power is adjusted in frequency and phase to
compensate for changes in speed 32of the
turbine.
Type 4 (Variable Speed with Full Power
Electronic Control)
Output of the rotating machine is
sent to the grid through a full-scale
back-to-back frequency converter.
The turbine is allowed to rotate at
its optimal aerodynamic speed,
resulting in a wild AC output
from the machine.
Gear box may be eliminated such
that it operates at slow turbine
speed and generates an electrical
frequency well below that of the
grid.

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Type 5 (Variable Speed Drive)

Synchronous generators are used.

It consists of a typical WTG variable-
speed drive train connected to a
torque/speed converter coupled with
a synchronous generator.
The torque/speed converter changes
the variable speed of the rotor shaft
to a constant output shaft speed.
The closely coupled synchronous
generator, operating at a fixed speed
(corresponding to grid frequency),
can then be directly connected to
the grid through a synchronizing
circuit breaker.
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Voltage & Reactive Power Control
Capabilities in Wind Turbines

Type 1 & Type 2 wind turbines cannot control the voltage.

Type 1 & Type 2 uses power factor correction capacitors for maintaining the
power factor and for reactive power control.
Type 3, type 4 and type 5 can control the voltage by using either VSC
(Voltage Source Converter) or Current Source converter by controlling the real
power at a given active power flow at the high voltage side of the
transformer.
Commercially available wind turbines uses VSC for the voltage control.
Commercially available wind turbine are mostly Type 3 & Type 4 .

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Power Quality Issues in Wind Power
Plants
Flickering
Harmonics

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 Flickering

Flicker is a variation in the system ac voltage.

It is caused by variations in wind turbine generator (WTG) power output due

to variation in wind speed, blade pitching, tower shadowing, wind shear or
gradient, and WTG start and stop operations.

Flicker is a major concern for interconnections to weak systems, such as

distribution interconnections in areas of the system where fault currents are
very low.

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Harmonics

The operation of nonlinear loads in a power distribution system creates

harmonic currents that flow throughout the power system.
Harmonics are produced from the power converters used at the rotor side and
grid side.
Harmonic resonance occurs when the resonant frequency of the capacitors for
PFC and the cables at grid side is same as the harmonic frequency.

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Harmonics in Wind Turbine

PWM switching devices.

Transformers.
Presence of Power factor correction capacitors and reactance.

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Harmonics Produced due to PWM
Switching Devices
1. PWM switching devices present at grid side and rotor side
for the converters.
It depends on modulation frequency ratio and modulation amplitude ratio.
With reference to a simple sinusoidal PWM modulation with triangular carrier
signal, the definition for frequency modulation and amplitude modulation is
as given below.

Modulation frequency = Frequency of carrier wave

Ratio ,mf Desired fundamental output frequency

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Harmonics Produced due to PWM
Switching Devices (continues.)

Modulation Amplitude = (Amplitude of the desired fundamental output)

Ratio ,ma (Amplitude of the triangular carrier wave which
is normally smaller than unity)

Harmonic order = h=l*mf k

where l=1,2,3,4, and k=1,2,3,4,
l and k cannot be simultaneously even or odd.

Only higher order harmonic are present.

Magnitude at the these frequencies are very less.
Destabilize the system when it coincides with the system resonance
frequency.

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Harmonics Produced due to Transformers

2. Harmonic produced due to transformer.

Power transformers are designed to operate below the knee point, which will
generate some harmonics due to non linear relationship between the current
and voltage (Beyond the knee point transformer will got o saturation state).
Harmonics are produced due to energization of turbine and substation
transformers.

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Harmonic Resonance due to the
presence of capacitors & reactors
Use of PWM switching devices for VSC in the Type 3 and Type 4 produces
harmonics.
Even though the magnitude is less. It may cause larger amplitudes when the
harmonic frequency matches with the system resonance frequency formed by
system capacitance and inductance and causes instability.
Two type of resonance occurs.
1. Series resonance.
2. Parallel resonance.

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Series Resonance

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Parallel Resonance

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Harmonic Analysis Techniques

1. Deterministic Method.
2. Stochastic/Statistical Method.
3. Frequency Domain.
4. Time Domain.
5. Hybrid Harmonic Power Flow Method.

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Deterministic Method

Deterministic Method.
It depends on the past data of current harmonic emission and impedance profile
to calculate voltage distortion.
Advantages
Simple
Easy to implement
Disadvantages
Does not account for the time variant characteristics of harmonics.

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Stochastic/Statistical Method

Stochastic Or Statistical Method.

This method uses probability distribution/ density functions.
It implies the harmonic emission is cyclic that changes with
time due to changes of grid operating conditions, WTG power
loadings, operations WTG controllers and uneven distribution of wind
velocity .
It also includes the occurrence probability of a particular
harmonic.
Advantages
Realistic prediction of harmonics and probability of occurrence.
Disadvantages
Extensive measurements are required.
Time consuming and expensive .
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Frequency Domain

Frequency Domain.
Classified into two types:
1. Frequency Scan analysis.
2. Harmonic Power Flow analysis

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Frequency Scan Analysis

Frequency Scan Analysis.

Systematic variation of frequency from an initial value to final value.
A voltage or current injection can be injected at a particular bus for
calculating the voltage response and to know the grid back ground harmonic
distortion.

Disadvantages
Impedance is determined form the admittance of the matrix (only passive
components are considered).

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Harmonic Power Flow

Harmonic Power Flow.

Non linearities are represented using current injection with spectra of
known magnitude and phase.
Advantages
Ease of representation.
Principle of superposition holds good.
Disadvantages
Impedance is determined form the admittance of the matrix (only passive
components are considered).
Computation of harmonic current flow is valid only for a specific loading
conditions.

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Time Domain

Time Domain.
Currents and voltages are calculated based on the differential equations
governing the behaviour of components.
Advantages
Suitable for the analysis of balanced and unbalanced system.
System non linearities and the effect of different controls can be accounted.
DISADVANTAGES
Complex computational procedure.
Time consuming.

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Hybrid Harmonic Power Flow

Hybrid Harmonic Power Flow.

It is based on time domain model of the harmonic generating sources along
with frequency domain network model.
Non linear components are defined in actual time domain differential equations
that govern their performance.
Equations are solved in time domain and converted into frequency domain using
Fourier analysis.

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Mitigation Techniques

Two harmonic mitigation techniques

Harmonic filtering.
1. Turbine level filtering.
2. System level filtering.
Harmonic compensation.

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Harmonic Filtering -Turbine Level
Filtering
1. Harmonic filtering.
1.1 Turbine level filtering.
For dealing with the harmonics produced from the grid side and rotor
side power electronic converters.

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Turbine Level Filtering (Continues)

At Grid side inverter

Filter comprises of the
following
A tuned LC circuit for damping
resonance with the transformer
and the grid inductance.
A base filter for the damping of
switching frequency (PWM
switching devices) and its
Turbine Filtering: Filter at grid multiples.
side

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Turbine Level Filtering (Continues)

At the stator side filter consists of the

following
A tuned LC circuit for damping the
switching frequency.
A tuned LC circuit for damping
twice the switching frequency.
A base filter for multiples of the
switching frequency.

Turbine Filtering: Filter at

stator side
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Harmonic Filtering System Level
Filtering

System Level Filtering

It deals with the harmonic resonance aspect rather than harmonic emission
aspect.
Methods are generally aimed to avoid any resonance issue.
Simplest design consist of tuning a resistive and inductive part of the
capacitor. In the circuit losses will occur at fundamental frequency.
To avoid the fundamental frequency losses, C type filter is used.

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System Filtering C Type Filter

In C type an auxiliary capacitor is

connected in series with the
reactor.
The reactor and the auxiliary
capacitor forms a series resonance
at the fundamental frequency.
The impedance of the branch
consisting of reactance and
auxiliary capacitance is zero.
Hence it produces negligible
fundamental frequency losses

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Harmonic Compensation

Harmonic Compensation
The main objective is to reduce the harmonic currents generated by the
stator and rotor winding
It is used to mitigate the background harmonic voltages.
In harmonic compensation technique no actual damping resistor is present but
the energy is stored in the dc link capacitance of the back- back converter.
The energy dissipation is lower compared to other two methods where passive
resistor is used.

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APPROACH

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Approach to Mitigate Harmonics

Consult the expert

Understand the problem

Accept the causes

Select the right solution

Dont fall prey to myths

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Mitigation Technologies

Reactor Based Filters :

Series Line Reactors
Detuned Filters
Tuned Filters
Triplen Harmonic Filters
IGBT Based Filters :
Active Filters
Harmonic Compensation Transformers
Zig Zag Transformers
Phase Shift Transformers
Dual Wound Transformers
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 Case studies

In the current case study, system consists of turbine transformer with HV side
rated at 10.5 kV, low voltage side voltage is 690 and 650 V respectively. Both
experimental and simulation studies are done on Type 3 and Type 4.
Reference: Power System Harmonic Analysis in Wind Power Plants Part II: Practical
Experiences and Mitigation Methods, IEEE, 2012

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Results And Discussion
This section discusses about the measurements obtained at the HV side of the
transformer

For type 3, 5th and 7th harmonics

are predominant.
For type 4, 2nd, 11th and 13th
harmonics are predominant.
Introduced due to the interaction
of WTG with power system.
Figure: Most signicant integer
harmonic currents up to the 50th
order for type 3 and type 4
turbines.
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Experimental Analysis

For the type 3 turbine, the most

signicant components include
the 49th and 51st orders.
The 39th and 41st orders are the
largest for the type 4 turbine.
These harmonic are dependent on
the converter switching frequency
which may vary from one turbine
type to another or even between
two different turbines of the
. same type
the most dominant switching
Figure : Most signicant high-frequency harmonic currents
harmonics are in the range of 210
between 2.1 and 8.9 kHz for type 3 and type 4 turbines. kHz

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Experimental Analysis

Conditions A and B indicate

connection to a highly unbalanced
and a relatively balanced source
power system.
Low order harmonic currents are
present.
Such high level of low order
harmonic currents can be
mitigated by various harmonic
Figure: Most signicant interharmonic currents for mitigation methods that was
type 4 turbines A under unbalanced conditions and explained later before.
B under balanced conditions. .

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 Experimental Analysis
From the figures, it can be
assumed that there is no much
difference in the harmonics as
the turbine loading is varied
except for type 4 with 2%
current distortion.
Figure shows Variation of the most signicant harmonic currents for type 4 turbines as function of
turbine loading.

This implies that harmonics

doesnt have any dependence
on the turbine loading.

Figure shows Variation of the most signicant harmonic currents for type 3 turbines as function of
turbine loading.

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Simulation Analysis

Simulation test is done with Type 3 and Type 4 wind turbine .

In Type 3 three cases are simulated
1. with no MSC (Mechanically Switched Capacitor).
2. With 1 MSC.
3. With 2 MSC.
Then the impedance scan and harmonic spectrum is analysed.

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Simulation Study in Type 3

Resonance is occurring at 11th

harmonic in the case with 1
MSC.
From the harmonic penetration
graph the amplitude is higher at
that frequency.
Figure: Impedance Scan for different studies
With no MSC the resonance
condition is at around 17-19
order. Amplitude is very less in
this order. Hence harmonic
resonance is less.

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Figure: Harmonic penetration studies for different studies

Simulation Test on Type 4

For Type 4 the modes are based on the active power at the PCC (Point of
Common Coupling ) for WTG (Wind Turbine Generator) and WPP (Wind Power
Plant )

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Simulation Study in Type 4

Two resonance conditions

occurs. One at lower
frequencies (3 - 7 ) and other
rd th

Figure: Impedance Scan for different studies at higher frequencies ( 37th

44th ) are present.
Impedance scan at lower order
has a more pronounced effect
on the amplitude than the
higher order harmonics.

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Figure: Voltage Harmonic distortion for different studies

Summary

Harmonics are produced from the grid side and wind turbine side.
Lower harmonics and inter harmonics are present in addition to the higher
order switching harmonics.
Low order harmonics are generated due to interaction with source power
system.
Impact of turbine loading condition was perceived to be marginal.
Amplitudes are significantly less at lower harmonics and inter harmonics
unless some resonant conditions occurs at these points.
In practical WPP, mitigation technique at turbine level and/or system level is
used.

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THANK YOU

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