Impact of grid connection requirements on protection systems in offshore wind farms

Installed capacity of Offshore Wind Farms (OWF) is growing rapidly as more countries all around the world aim either to expand the existing fleet or start using offshore wind resources to cover the ever-increasing demand for clean and affordable renewable energy. Meeting grid code requirements and ensuring compliance with other relevant standards and regulations is a cornerstone of successful deployment of OWFs and connection to the grid. However, understanding the grid connection requirements relevant to the protection systems scope is not that straightforward. The paper provides an overall concept of compliance and introduces typical groups of connection requirements specifically applicable to protection systems in OWFs. Impact of such requirements on protection systems design, testing, operation, and maintenance procedures as well as challenges associated with their fulfilment are discussed and supported by several examples. The paper also presents a roadmap to ensuring compliance with grid connection requirements. Information presented in the paper creates awareness among all the industry players and helps to overcome challenges associated with meeting connection requirements for OWFs.