Impact of a Medium-Size Wave Farm on Grids of Different Strength Levels

TLDR

Wave energy converters generate power fluctuations that can degrade local grid power quality, yet detailed site‑specific impact studies are time‑consuming and rarely performed early in site selection, risking poor power quality outcomes. This study evaluates the impact of a medium‑size wave farm on grids of varying strength levels. Using experimental power‑time series from an oscillating water column device collected under the FP7 CORES project, the authors simulated the farm’s interaction with different grid strengths in DIgSILENT PowerFactory.

Abstract

Power fluctuations generated by most oscillating wave energy converters may have a negative impact on the power quality of the local grid to which the wave farms will be connected. Hence, assessing their impact is an important step in the selection process of a suitable deployment location. However, site-specific grid impact assessment studies are relatively time-consuming and require a high level of detail on the local network. Both of these constraints mean that grid impact studies are usually not performed in the preliminary stages of the site selection process, despite the extremely negative consequences resulting from poor power quality. This paper details a comprehensive study based on a relatively typical wave farm design connected to networks of different strength levels. The study was performed using experimental electrical power time series of an oscillating water column (OWC) device generated under the framework of the European FP7 project "CORES". Simulations were performed using DIgSILENT power system simulator "PowerFactory".