Second Wind - Solutions - Windfarm Output Curtailment

Windfarm Output Curtailment

Curtailment of the output of wind energy facilities is not a new requirement. Operators have long used SCADA (Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition) to regulate the output of their windfarms. However the increased presence of wind energy on the grid and the increased penetration of wind have led to greater requirements for windfarms to operate "like a power plant," including output control. Curtailment can be accomplished in one of two ways.

By shutting down one or more individual turbines until the desired plant output is reached.

By reducing the output of each turbine until the desired plant output is reached.

SCADA is essential for effective curtailment. Some turbines' controllers have the ability to set maximum output via the front panel or via SCADA. For other turbines, an alternative power control method is needed. Modern SCADA systems offer sophisticated algorithms with user-configuragle parameters to accomplish power regulation effectively and safely.

Why would a turbine operator turn off turbines when the wind is blowing? Usually, to comply with external requests or obligations. Some of the reasons that lead to such requests are:

Low demand. On a small or weak grid, supply of electricity can exceed demand.
Site conditions. It may be unsafe to run some or all of the turbines at full power.
Infrastructure limitations. The local transmission system may be unable to carry all the energy being produced.
Other reasons - such as temporary issues with equipment, contractual issues, etc.


	Remote Wind Data Collection
	Power Performance Testing
	Integrating Met Data into Windfarm SCADA
	Autopilot Windfarm Control
	Forecasting Windfarm Production
	Windfarm Substation Monitoring
	Windfarm FAA Lights Monitoring
	Windfarm Output Curtailment
	Turbine Control and Monitoring with the Phaser
	Paralleling Transformers with the Phaser
	Measure Electrode Usage with the Phaser
	Translate Legacy Protocol with the Phaser
	Encoderless Tap Position Reporting


	Practical Windfarm Output Regulation Using SCADA (pdf)