Analyzing the Impacts of Wind Generation on Distribution System Performance

Increasing wind power generation affects performance of existing power system in terms of power losses, voltage regulation and short circuit levels. Jhimpir wind generation having 49.5 MW capacity is connected to 132kV network of Hyderabd Electric Supply Company (HESCO) to meet its energy demand. Distribution network of HESCO is modelled and simulated using Power system Simulator – Siemens Network Calculator (PSS SINCAL) as simulation platform. Simulation results are compared to observe impacts of wind integration to existing power system network. Simulation results indicate reduction of power losses from 15.26 to 14.79MW as a result of wind integration to existing HESCO network. Reduction in power losses is mainly caused by changed current flows in lines. Reduction in current also reduce line drops resulting in improved bus voltages. Short circuit level is slightly increased for all buses due to network modification. Increase in short circuit level is highest near the wind generation as Zorlu grid shows 13.02% increase. 66kV network shows small increase in short circuit level due to its long distance from wind generation facility. Use of real network data for this research work identifies possible protection issues alongwith the reduction in power losses and voltage drop. Each system network has separate network parameters and will have different response to any network change. Hence a simulation analysis is important to ensure maximum benefits from renewable energy sources and their integration with existing power system network