Mechanisms of middle-frequency oscillations in an offshore wind farm induced by the converter current inner loops

Abstract

Middle-frequency oscillation instability is one of the important issues that threats the safe integration of offshore wind farms. However, analytical explanations to key affecting factors and laws for the middle-frequency oscillation are not clear yet, which makes it difficult to avoid this kind of oscillation effectively. Therefore, in this paper, mechanism for the middle-frequency oscillation induced by the dynamics of converter current inner loops is studied in-depth. First, small-signal transfer function model for a general offshore wind farm integrated via AC submarine cable is established. Then impact of the AC submarine cable and control parameters of the converter current inner loops on oscillation stability of the wind farm is analysed via eigenvalue analysis. It is found that with the length of AC submarine cable increases, frequency for the open-loop pole of the AC grid decreases. When open-loop pole of the AC grid gets close that of the PMSGs on complex plane, the near strong mode resonance can cause middle-frequency oscillation of the system. Finally, effectiveness of the conclusions drawn is evaluated through nonlinear simulations.