The use of wind farms and virtual power plants for
emergency control in the future smart super grids
Anna Arestova, IEEE Student Member, Yury Sidorkin
Department of Power Engineering
Novosibirsk State Technical University
Novosibirsk, Russia
anna.arestova@ieee.org
Abstract— Impending inevitable coupling of Russian power grid
with national power grids of contiguous countries demands
creation of special test power network models to investigate
beforehand various dynamic phenomena which will take place in
such immense power grids. In the view of such prospect, power
grids of China and European Union (EU) can evoke special
attention. For the present there is not possibility to create the
detailed power network models of the trance-national power
grids, which could be available for open access, because of the
well-known national safety reasons. This paper illustrates the
way to overcome partly the barriers for team-work of experts
from different countries by the example of EU-Russia power
network model. The main goal of the investigation in this paper is
creation of a test power network model and then the
demonstration of this power network model utilization for
integration of emergency control in smart super grid containing
both of virtual power plants and wind farms.
Keywords-Smart Grid, Wind Farm, Virtual Power Plant, Power
System Simulation
I. INTRODUCTION
The integration of the renewable and distributed energy
sources into large-scale power systems presumes the use of
these in the markets of ancillary services for power system.
Large-scale power networks and small-scale active distribution
networks have to coexist to guarantee transition to a
decarbonize economy in the near future. The energy sources
based on wind, solar, geothermal, etc. as well as based on heat
and power plants, micro gas turbines, engines, and so on;
alongside with manifold energy storage devices have to be
integrated into the so-called Smart Grids. Integration of super
grids and Smart Grids has begotten the term “Smart Super
Grid” [1]. Formation of the Smart Super Grids is the non-
alternating condition in order to ensure the reliable operation of
power systems in the near future.
The assessment of possible interaction between Smart Grid
and Super Smart Grid, along with other investigations, which
has been started in the frame of the FP7 ICOEUR project [2]
undertaken by the European Commission and Russian Agency
of Researches and Innovations. The aim of the project is
creation of the control system prototype for intelligent
coordination of EU and Russian power grids. Renewable
energy sources was the theme of the investigations too.
These investigations have been executed with the use of a
special test power net work model for 2020 horizon of EU and
Russian power grid. The main destination of this test power
network model consists in creating the conditions for team
work of the experts from the countries who are the members of
different political blocks. The point is that, the detailed models
of EU and Russian power networks may consist of several
thousand nodes and will not be convenient for large-scale
international investigations. Besides, the experts of EU and
Russia cannot share all needed information. At best, partners
from EU and Russia may share the very rough equivalents of
the power network models as well as even by the greater rough
data about power station equipment and their control systems.
This circumstance is conditioned by a great number of the
barriers that cannot be overcome in the near future.
Thus, it is desirable to grant the test power network model
that would be available for all the experts of EU and Russia.
Such model can give them a possibility to share the knowledge
and skills of each of them. One more benefit of such model
consists in model modifications, including modification of the
power grids of one or several countries, under staying other
model parts without correction.
II. EMERGENCY CONTROL PRINCIPLES
The concept of virtual power plant (VPP) is a possible way
to integrate renewable and distributed energy sources into large
scale power systems. This allows organizing effective
interaction between system operators for keeping high level of
power system reliability [3].
Usually the contribution of the renewable and distributed
energy sources into the power system security consists in
providing the ancillary services such as: 1) reserve, 2) voltage
and frequency control, 3) black start, 4) load balancing [4].
However, VPPs' characteristics allow recognizing large-scale
VPPs as a possible means for emergency control of large
power system too.
Indeed, one of the disadvantages of the modern system
protection schemes is superfluity of control actions such as
generator rejection because of the nature of synchronous
generators at large power plants. Besides, equilibration of
generator rejection by the use of the remote load shedding
became needed. In this case, as a rule, the excess of load
shedding takes place. Thus, VPPs can be used to adjust the of this EU - Russia project and any other projects which will be
control actions. This could improve the system protection undertaken in the future.
schemes efficiency considerably.
The test power network model has been developed at the
Not too large magnitude of the rated power of the EUROSTAG simulation platform granted by Tractebel
prospective VPPs as against generation and consumption in Engineering (Belgium) to the all participants of this project.
power systems stipulates certain neglect by they as a means of The scheme of the EU - Russia power network model is based
emergency control in large power systems. Taking into account on the avowed segmentation of EU power grid onto the control
the concept of large-scale VPP as well as an increase of the areas and blocks, which are controlled by the regional system
portion of VPPs in EU the perception of this idea can be operators, on the one hand, and the organization of the Russian
modified drastically. For instance, it can become a result of Power Grid control system, on the other hand. Each European
realization of Smart Grid concept coupled with the so-called country (segment) is represented by one node with equivalent
Wide Area Measurement and Control Systems [5]. In this case generator and load. The basic version of the model consists of
the expediency of VPPs application for large-scale power 48 nodes, 92 transmission ties, eight HVDC transmission lines,
system emergency control could become well-founded. three Back-to-Back converter stations, one WPP, and one VPP.
Exception to the rule has been established for national power
There are several possible ways for the use of VPPs in grid of Germany that is represented by five nodes. The NTSO-
system protection scheme structures. The first is its use as the e -IPS/UPS test power network model is represented in Fig.1.
control action just as generator rejection. Depending on a
current regime and demands of market a distributed system The nodes on the single-line diagram are denoted by the
operator can suggest to a system operator a resource of VPP for codes of the World Countries Classification. The power system
generation rejection or load shedding in order to execute the nodes denotation of the former USSR consist of the
large-scale power system emergency control. In the case of abbreviation of the interconnected power system names
realization of both the information technologies and together with upper-case letter "G" that descends from word
communication one, which are the basis for Smart Super Grid "grid". There are the following interconnected power systems
concept, the needed volume of generator rejection can be on the single-line diagram: North-West, Central, South, Middle
fulfilled either at the traditional power plants or VPPs. It is Volga, the Ural, and Siberia. Generation and demand in the
possible also to accomplish some control actions as a nodes belonging both to the ENTSO-e and former USSR
combination of generator rejection at the traditional power republics power network are corresponded to the forecast on
plants and VPPs. 2020 horizon founded in the Internet recourses. Four nodes of
the national grid of Germany represent the generation and
At last, large-scale VPPs might actively used to improve
loads in the control blocks of the main national system
the selectivity of the power system split for stability keeping. operators (RWE, EON. Netz, EnBW, VET). The fifth node
The principles of the system protection schemes might be (DE) represents generation and loads that have not got truth
executed by power system emergency control with the use of information about their distribution between the above
VPPs. This can also be investigated with the application of the mentioned system operators. Maghreb and Turkish power
simple test power network model of EU and Russian power
system is also taken into account. The node DE has become the
grids.
connection point for test models of VPP and WPP.
One should remember that VPPs can contain wind turbines It is known that more than twenty HVDC objects in Central
and even entire wind power plants (WPPs). Thus, there is the and North Europe have to operate in 2020. The test power
problem of its fault ride through performance in Smart Super
network model takes account of eight of them, which are
Grid. One of the perspective tools to meet this requirement is
presented in Table I.
the use of the so-called series dynamic braking resistors
(SDBR) the principle of which execution is described in [6]. It
consists in short-term inclusion of the powerful resistors in the TABLE I. LIST OF EUROPEAN HVDC PROJECTS
stator circuits of a generator. The preliminary investigations of Converter Converter Cable Overhead
this tool will be illustrated in this paper. (kV) (MW)
Station 1 Station 2 (km) line (km)
Poland Sweden 245 -- 450 600
III. TEST POWER NETWORK MODEL Netherlands Norway 580 -- 450 700
Denmark Germany 170 -- 400 600
The test power network model may be very useful for team Finland Sweden 200 33 400 500
work of different groups of the experts for examination and Estonia Finland 105 -- 150 350
exploration of the EU - Russia interconnection. The especial Denmark Norway 130 100 350 500
interest is the development of the control principles for this Denmark Norway 130 100 250 500
Germany Sweden 250 12 450 600
interconnection. It can be also used for examination of flexible
alternative current transmission system, wide area
measurement system, high voltage direct current (HVDC) The maps of “EU Grid Map” and "Energy of Russia and
transmission line, and Back-to-Back (BtB) converter station, as contiguous countries" available in the Internet have been
well as WPP, VPP, and Smart Grids. The power network utilized for determination of the parameters of the test power
regime of the test power network model is the basis for network model equivalent ties. The parameters of the
modification and correction in the case of necessity. It is the equivalent ties between nodes in the test power network model
requirement in order to decide different tasks both in the frame
 Fig. 1. Single-line diagram of the EU-Russia equivalent test bed model
were obtained by transformation of the parallel lines and
conversion to one voltage range (380 kV).
There was assumed that some hybrid interconnection, i.e.
the interconnection on the base of alternating current and direct
current technologies, will exist in the EU - Russia interface.
Thus, one of the BtB converter stations might be at sending
node of 750 kV transmission line “The Ukraine - Poland”, and
the second one might exist at the sending node of 750 kV
transmission line “The Ukraine - Romania”. In this test power
network model the existing BtB converter station between
Finland and Russia is taken into account. As the all HVDC and
BtB converter stations are represented by the complete set of
regular controllers, the investigation of HVDC utilization of the
transmission power emergency modulation can be done with
the use of this model. In one's turn, investigation of
possibilities of the low-frequency oscillations damping with the
use of HVDC potential can effectively be done too.
The inertia constants for the equivalent generators (Tj),
which are represented in seconds, were obtained as weighted
mean of three types of power plants such as 1) steam power
plant (Tj = 6.0), 2) hydroelectric power station (Tj = 3.0), and
3) nuclear power plant (Tj = 5.5). Each node of the test power
network model was referred to one of the three types of power
plants in accordance with predominance of hydraulic, steam or
nuclear power plants in the country that this node represents.
The information about the volume and structure of energy
generation is adopted from open data in the Internet. One of the
possible load-flow states in EU and in European part of Russia
has been found with the use of the power flow directions that
correspond to power flows for 2009. The operating capacities
for equivalent generators of the EU - Russia power network
model have been derived with the use of possible demands and
these power flows.
IV. SIMULATION RESULTS
After To investigate some of the above mentioned themes
the basic test power network model has been modified in the
manner illustrated in Fig. 2. The node DE has been expanded
by a WPP, composed of six groups of wind turbines with the
total rated power of 3600 MW. Each group consists of three
different types of 200 MW wind turbines which are of Type A,
B, and C in accordance with the classification given in [7].
Furthermore, WPPs of Type A have been added into the
scheme in Denmark. Lastly, two VPPs have been appended to
the node AL. The power flows has been calculated with the use
of EUROSTAG software.
A. VPPs as component of system protection schemes
Two different simulations have been done in order to
illustrate a possible effect of VPP utilization for large scale
power system emergency control. It was assumed that the
generator power of 300 MW has been lost suddenly in the node
AL and next the transmission tie between the nodes AL and
GR has been lost too. This event has happened when the tie
between nodes AL and SR was under repair. The second
simulation repeats the first one but VPP located in the node
 (A) this VPP, 2) the use of additional load shedding there. Taking
into account the modern trend to creation of intelligent
automata in VPPs, one can assume that such approach is real
way to improving the system protection schemes.
The consecution of the events in these simulations is
presented here.
Time (sec) Events
5.0 300 MW generation tripping at node AL
10.0 AL-GR transmission line tripping
10.5 Disconnection of VPP by 18 MW consumption
(B) from power grid

B. SDBR utilization for fault ride-through performance of

WPPs
It is known that SDBRs can be used for the fault ride-
through (FRT) performance of the A-Type and B-Type wind
turbines, which are coupled with asynchronous generators. The
use of SDBRs is possible along with the use of the reactive
power compensation devices too. One can assume that FRT of
the C-Type wind turbines, which are coupled with the so-called
double fed induction generator (DFIG), can also be guaranteed
(C) with the use of SDBR [8].

1,2 (A)
1
Voltage, p.u.

0,8
0,6
0,4
0,2
0 5 10 15
Time, sec
1,3 (B)
Voltage, p.u.

1,1
Fig. 2. Extra schemes for investigation: (A) is VPP, (B) is WPP in
Denmark, (C) is WPP in Germany; SYN_1 - SYN_6 are synchronous 0,9
generators, ASYN_1 - ASYN_6 are asynchronous generators,
DFIG_1 - DFIG_6 are Double Fed Induction Generator, 0,7
DIES_1 - DIES_2 are diesel generators, WT_1 - WT_2 are wind
turbines, SMES_1 - SMES_2 are Super Magnetic Energy Systems 0,5
0 10 20 30 40 50
AL_2 has been disconnected from power system by the Time, sec
tripping the tie between the nodes AL and AL_2 in 0.5 sec 52 (С)
after the above mentioned transmission has been lost. The 50
Frequency, Hz

results of these simulations are represented in Fig. 3. The

48
course of the voltage at the point of common connection at the
nodes AL and AL_VPP are illustrated in Fig. 3,A and Fig. 3,B. 46
The consumption of this VPP from power grid was only 18 44
MW but its influence on the system stability of the power 42
system can be considerable. These simulation results show that
0 10 20 30 40 50
the disconnection of VPP in the AL_VPP node prevents power Time, sec
system instability.
Fig. 3. Voltages and frequency deviation: (A) voltage at node AL
It should be noted that the special means have to be used without the system protection schemes actions, (B) – voltages at the
inside the loosened VPP in order to keep the frequency nodes AL (green line) and AL_VPP (red line) with power system
standard. Fig. 3,C illustrates the course of frequency for two splitting, (C) – frequency deviation without any control action (green
different cases such as 1) the absent some control actions inside line) and with additional load shedding (red line)
 The EUROSTAG model of C-Type wind turbine includes the
stator protection device that has to switch off the wind turbine
when the voltage is dropped below that a threshold (0.75 p.u.)
and remains under that threshold for a certain time.
Six models of the wind turbine of C-Type represented in
Fig. 2,С have been applied with the schemes for SDBR
modeling. To examine the efficiency of SDBR utilization the
sequence of the events for simulation has been assigned as
following:
Time (sec) Events
10.00 short circuit at the WPP node
10.02 insertion of dynamic braking resistors
10.09 eliminating of short circuit
10.10 dynamic braking resistors switching off

Fig. 4 illustrates the results of comparing the FRT

Fig. 4. Example of C-Type wind turbines dynamic braking: (A)
voltage at node DB_1, (B) active power of machine DFIG_1 without any
control action (green line) and with control action (red line)
1 (A)
Voltage, p.u.
performance for DFIG. The voltage at node DB_1 (Fig. 4, A)
and the active power of machine DFIG_1 (Fig. 4, B) are
represented. One can see that by use of SDBR a disconnection
of the wind turbines from the grid is avoided.
To show the efficiency of SDBR utilization for applying
the FRT performance of the A-Type wind turbines the test bed
model has been equipped with the models of the really existing
wind farms REV_1 and REV_2 as well as of the wind farms
MYSTED and MIDDELGR at the nodes DKWe and DKWw

0,8 of test power network model. With the assumption of short

circuit in the node DKWW two simulations has been done with
0,6
and without use of SDBR. The results are represented in Fig. 5
0,4 where the voltage at node REV_1 (Fig. 5, A), the active power
0,2
of machine REV_1 (Fig. 5, B), and the speed of machine
REV_1 (Fig. 5, C) are represented.
9,9 10,1 10,3 10,5 10,7 10,9
Time, sec Thus, it is getting clear that SDBRs may be useful both for
(B) WPP with A-Type and C-Type wind turbines. With the
200 assumption of the wind turbines and WPPs will inevitably be
Active power, MW

integrated in large-scale VPPs one can accept that this direction

of investigations in the area of EU grid augmentation is
100
defensible.
0
V. BECOMING REFLECTIONS
9,9 10,1 10,3 10,5 10,7 10,9
-100 It has been noted, because of a great number of reasons
Time, sec
1,07 there is not possibility to use the confidential information
(C) regarding the power plants and consumers equipment in order
Machine speed, p.u.

1,05 to create the thorough trance-national power network models.

This is relevant for EU - Russia as well as Russia - China
1,03
National Power Grid interconnection. But the international
1,01 interaction between the experts of EU and Russia who are
responsible for such interconnections as well as the experts of
0,99 China and Russia could be extremely useful. It could be
9,9 10,1 10,3 10,5 10,7 10,9 realized on the base of the elementary test power network bed
Time, sec models. The suggested power network model of EU - Russia is
already used in the team-work of the experts from Russia,
Fig. 5. Example of A-Type wind turbines dynamic braking: (A) Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland for decision of different
voltage at node REV_1, (B) active power of machine REV_1, (C) speed
of machine REV_1 without any control action (green line) and with
tasks. The like interaction could be organized between Russian
control action (red line) and Chinese experts.

One can assume that such SDBR in combination with the This circumstance is explained by several reasons. China
use of automatic voltage regulators can be used to prevent the has already become an avowed leader in the frame of HVDC
disconnection of DFIG type turbines because of voltage drops. technologies utilization. In addition, China will certainly be an
avowed leader in the frame of wind farm utilization too. In
one's part, the Russian Federal Network Company has
undertaken the attempt of the pretentious pilot project of Smart
Super Grid at the Russian Far East Interconnected Power
System [9]. One of the objects of the project is 750 MW BtB
tie with North-East power grid of China.
Other objects of this Smart Super Grid are two 200 MW
BtB converter stations for coupling the Russian Far East
Interconnected power system with Siberian Interconnected
Power System. In these conditions some possibilities for
emergency control with the use of this China BtB converter
stations have been demonstrated in [10-14]. The structure of
the 500 kV network of North-East power system of China as
well as the data needed for long term simulation have also been
found in the open sources of the Internet and so it can be used
for the team work of Russia and China students and experts.
At last, the first in Russia prototype of VPP is planned to be
used at south part of the Russian Far East Interconnected
Power System. In addition to four objects of distributed
generation such as gas turbine power plants at Russky Island
there will be used a WPP. Interaction of this VPP with the
Russian Far East Interconnected Power System in emergency
conditions has to be topic for investigation in the near future.
Novosibirsk State Technical University is one of the
organizations which are responsible for energy theme
development in the frame of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization University. It seems very appropriately to use this
fact for developing Russia - China student investigation in the
Smart Super Grid area. There are several evident reasons for
that. Firstly, future Russian and Chinese young researchers in
the area of Smart Super Grids can start cooperation else when
being in the university. Secondly, the China-Russia project of
the interstate electricity trade via the BtB converter station
located at the state boundary is the serious reason in order to
create the available for both sides simple test power network
model of Russia-China interconnection. Thirdly, the Smart
Super Grid concept in Russia will be fulfilled first of all in
Siberia and the Russian Far East Interconnected Power
Systems. It is obviously that this circumstance should be used
for cooperation with the experts of China as a contiguous
country and one of the world leaders in the Smart Super Grid
area. Lastly, the University program in the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization is a very convenient case to start
student cooperation in this area.
VI. CONCLUSION
The results represented in this paper are only preliminary
estimation of the use of VPPs as a component of the Smart
Super Grid emergency control system. But already now it
seems that efficiency of the system protection scheme in large-
scale power systems can be improved fundamentally with the
taking into account VPPs as a component of emergency control
actions. It seems that investigation in this area should be
expanded appreciably.
The use of the serial dynamic braking resistors to execute
requirement of the fault ride through performance for WPPs
might be the subject of more rapt attention of power industry
experts. Now the conditions for creation of cost-effective
dynamic braking devices as well as its control systems are very
favorable.
It could be expedient to initiate creation of a China-Russia
group of students in the frame of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization University program for team working in the area
of the Russia-China Smart Super Grid. Using some simple test
power network model of the Russian Far East Interconnected
Power System coupled with the North-East Power Grid of
China by means of the BtB converter station this student group
might give the pulse to creation of Lisbon-Vladivostok-
Guangzhou Smart Super Grid.
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