Wind Power Plants in Rural Areas: Unstable Source of Electricity

Researchers at Bialystok University of Technology conducted a study on the impact of wind turbine operation on electricity supplied to farms located near the source. The research aimed to determine the influence of wind power plant variability on the parameters of electricity supplied, including voltage, frequency, and voltage distortion factor. The study found that wind turbines may cause incorrect operation of loads connected nearby, particularly in cases where consumers sensitive to voltage fluctuations are installed in the direct vicinity of the power plant.

Key Takeaways:

• Wind power plants are increasingly common sources of electricity located in rural areas, but their high variability makes them unstable sources.
• The study conducted by Bialystok University of Technology researchers found that wind power plant variability significantly influences voltage fluctuations in its immediate vicinity, with a maximum value of 2% registered, which is close to the 2.5% limit specified by law.
• Although all recorded values were within the limits specified by current regulations, wind turbines may cause incorrect operation of loads connected nearby, particularly in cases where consumers sensitive to voltage fluctuations are installed in the direct vicinity of the power plant.
• The research estimated the capacity of the transmission lines and the reactive power produced in the power plant, which affects the power factor and the value of the voltage distortion factor.
• The study involved field tests to determine the influence of wind turbine operation on the parameters of electricity supplied to farms located near the source.
• Additional authors for the research include Magdalena Tyminska, Waclaw Romaniuk, and Andrzej Borusiewicz.

Statistics:

• The maximum value of voltage fluctuations registered near the wind power plant was 2%, which is close to the 2.5% limit specified by law.
• The study found that the THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) value of the wind turbine was four times lower than the required value.
• The reactive power produced in the power plant affects the power factor and the value of the voltage distortion factor.
• The study concluded that wind turbines may cause incorrect operation of loads connected nearby, particularly in cases where consumers sensitive to voltage fluctuations are installed in the direct vicinity of the power plant.

Sources:

• Impact of the Wind Turbine on the Parameters of the Electricity Supply to an Agricultural Farm. Sustainability, 2021,13(7279):7279.
• MDPI AG (publisher for Sustainability): www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability