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In this paper, we illustrate the effect of adding a hypothetical 100-MW doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind power plant to a weak transmission system. The effects of various wind plant load factors (100, 60 and 25 % of nameplate rating) are investigated. System performance is compared to a 100-MW conventional synchronous generator interconnected at the same location. The conventional generator is installed some distance away. The simulations demonstrated that DFIG generators provide a good damping performance under these conditions. These results support the conclusion that modern wind power plants, equipped with power electronics and low-voltage ride-through capability, can be interconnected to weak power grids without reducing stability. To conduct the studies, we selected an area of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council power system that is electrically far from major generation centers and is weakly connected to the bulk transmission system. The area contains large motor loads. We observed the dynamic response of large motors in the vicinity, especially their ability to ride through fault events. The studies were conducted using positive sequence phasor time-domain analysis. Index Terms--Low voltage ride through, power system, renewable energy, stability, variable-speed generation, weak grid, wind energy, wind farm, wind power plant, wind turbine.

An innovative power conversion system to convert energy from a variable-frequency wind-powered induction generator to a fixed frequency output. A standard six-switch dc link Current Regulated Pulse Width Modulated (CRPWM) inverter is simultaneously modulated with two current components. A three-phase balanced current component at the induction generator's optimum operating frequency transfers energy from the generator to the converter. A single phase zero sequence current component at a fixed 60 Hz frequency transfers energy from the converter through a zero sequence filter to the load. Unity power factor output is shown both in simulation and experiment, though any arbitrary power factor output may be readily commanded. Maximum power capture for a variable-speed wind turbine is achieved using proven control techniques. This method uses only half of the active power switching devices of conventional conversion methods. Simulation and experimental verification are shown. Index Terms--DC-AC power conversion, induction generators, inverters, power conversion, wind energy, wind power generation.