Advances in Wind Energy Technologies in the Context of Smart Grid

Advances in technology at all levels of the power system enable the integration of wind energy into the emerging smart grid efficiently and reliably. This synergy works both ways. A smart grid will allow connectivity of the wind turbines as intermittent sources of energy, and the advanced wind turbines with power electronics controls and other devices can support a grid with reactive power and protect the equipment during severe grid disturbances. Interconnection of large wind farms with the power grid using such technologies as high-voltage dc (HVDC) and SVC with Energy Storage can add a new degree of control to the power system, mitigate the intermittency of the wind energy production and the impact of electrical disturbances.