Poster Code: P1

Harmonic modelling for simulation of HVDC Converter Stations

and Wind Farms connected to a transmission system
Kah Leong KOO, PhD*
*Principal Power Systems Engineer, Power Networks, Parsons Brinckerhoff, klkoo@theiet.org

Keywords: Harmonic assessment, Harmonic compliance,

HVDCs, Wind farms, Engineering Recommendations-G5/4.

connection outwards from an onshore TO (Transmission

Owner) substation to the off shore wind farm.

Abstract

EHV Grid connection

usually 400 or 275
kV, TO asset

Area 1

Large capacity offshore wind farms, onshore wind farms and

HVDC connections will be common place in the next decade.
In the UK, offshore transmission networks are built to
accommodate the growth of offshore wind farm connections,
leading to the integration of DC (CSC and VSC type HVDC)
and AC connections for offshore wind farms and European
network integration. These connections are harmonic sources
into the transmission system. Therefore, detailed power
quality studies for the connections need to be performed by
utilities, wind farm and HVDC developers to derive the
harmonic limits. The limits become a contractual agreement
between the utility and the customer; this is to comply with
the relevant engineering standards. For example, Engineering
Recommendation G5/4 is applied to the connections in the
UK as referred to by the UK Grid-code. This paper presents
the different technical modelling and assessment criteria for
wind farms and HVDC converter stations connected to the
UK transmission system.

Boundary

Interface Point

Reactive power
compensation and
harmonic mitigation

More turbines

Area 2
MV Offshore
collector bus
usually 33 kV

N/O: normally open

N/O
N/O

N/O

More strings

Figure 1 Typical arrangement of an offshore wind farm

In the process of performing any harmonic assessment, a TO
has to consider the impact of the prospective connection on
existing harmonic levels in its own system and downstream to
any DNO (Distribution Network Operator) systems, including
any power stations and industrial systems. The process of
setting the limits must include:
1. Determining the maximum amplification of the
harmonic voltages up to 5 KHz (for a 50Hz system) for
all anticipated network conditions at different system
demand conditions - Equation (1).
2. Determination of the maximum distortion allowed at the
point of connection to the transmission system
(designated interface point in Figure 1) due to harmonic
emissions from the wind farm (Equation (2)) for all
anticipated network conditions and demand conditions
as (1).
For Equation (1), the variation in the background harmonic
levels are determined from the network impedance changes
before (Area 1 in Figure 1) and after (with Area 2 in Figure 1)
the wind farm connection. The detailed modelling of the wind
farm for the passive and active elements for harmonic studies
can be referenced [3].

1 Introduction
It is expected that the capacity of wind farms in the UK will
reach 18 GW offshore and 10 GW onshore by 2020, while
offshore could potentially reach over 40GW by 2030[1]. The
ability to transfer this power through identified corridors to
high demand locations (far from the generation sources)
requires the application of new technologies, including
HVDC. The expected investment of 19 billion for the UK
alone is of pan-European significance nationally and
regionally. HVDC connections are being used for large scale
offshore and onshore wind farms to speed up connection and
resolve tight corridors to help deliver this programme[2].

2 Harmonic Assessment and Specifications

Assessing Offshore Wind Farms
Offshore wind farms can connect to a substation at EHV
(normally at 400kV in the UK). Transmission utilities will
need to ensure that harmonic limits are not exceeded once the
wind farms are connected. Figure 1 illustrates a general radial

V 'bg

M u Vbg

(1)

Vbg is the background harmonic level after wind farm is

connected for harmonic.
Vbg is the background harmonic level before wind farm is
connected for harmonic.
M is the magnification or attenuation of the harmonic level
for harmonic.

1.

Determination of the maximum distortion allowed at the

point of connection to the transmission system
(designated as interface point in Figure 1 where the
HVDC is connected to the transmission system) is
assessed for the interface point and for all other nodes
referred back to the interface point in the transmission
system, affected nodes in the DNO systems including
any power stations and industrial systems (Equation (3))
for all anticipated network and demand conditions.
2. The maximum amplification of the harmonic voltages
up to 5 KHz (for a 50Hz system) for all anticipated
network conditions at different system demand
conditions is dependent on (1) and planning levels
stipulated in Engineering Recommendations G5/4.
V PL@R  V BKG@R
(3)
V HVDC@IP
G PCC - R
VHVDC@IP is the permissible incremental distortion at the
interface point due to the converter,
VPL@R is the planning level as per ER G5-4 at a remote
node,
VBKG@R is the background distortion at the associated
remote node and,
GPCC-R is the harmonic voltage gain from the interface point
to the associated remote node.

Equation 2 gives a generic definition of the harmonic voltage

distortion calculated at the interface point which includes all
phase relationships from each wind turbine generator and all
other active harmonic sources.
n Nwtg

Vdist

V Fn(V wtg , Z Fn(Z circuits, Z transformers ) 

n 1

n Nsvc

(2)

V Fn(V svc , Z Fn(Z circuits, Z transformers )

n 1

Implementation of a detailed model to calculate the voltage

distortion (Equation 2) as opposed to the aggregation method
in IEC 61000-3-6 has been previously discussed [4] to allow
accurate estimation of calculated voltage distortion. An
equivalent harmonic voltage source of the wind turbine of
complex quantity is usually available from the wind farm
developer (note that the data also provides the effect of
interaction of wind turbine generators in clusters). It is noted
that data provided according to IEC 61400-21 would not be
suitable using this approach.

Assessment under UK Offshore transmission system

regime
Figure 2 shows a generic diagram for the interconnection of
offshore wind farms to the UK transmission system and the
European Grid via an offshore transmission system. The
methods for performing the harmonic assessment and setting
the limits depends on whether these are wind farms or HVDC
converter stations. Using Figure 2, the assessments are
performed by:
1. Offshore transmission owner OFTO1, who will perform
the harmonic assessments for offshore wind farms
(WF1, WF2, WF3), HVDC1 and HVDC2.
2. Onshore transmission owner OSTO1, who will perform
the harmonic assessments for HVDC3.
3. Offshore wind farm developer WF4, will perform the
harmonic assessments up to the interface point owned
by OSTO1 as WF4 owns the offshore transmission
assets and takes the role of offshore transmission owner.
4. Onshore transmission owner OSTO1, who will perform
the harmonic assessments for directly connected onshore
wind farm WF5.

Assessing Onshore Wind Farms

For onshore wind farms, overhead AC lines as opposed to
long MV (132-150kV) cables are normally used, unless
routes transgress areas which are protected by law. The
method for performing the harmonic assessment will be the
same as for offshore wind farms but the effects as defined by
Equation (1) and Equation (2) will be different due to less
cable dominance and emissions electrically closer to the
interface point.
Assessing HVDC Converter Stations
HVDC converter stations located onshore are close to the
transmission system and have pronounced effects on
harmonic levels. In the UK, the Western HVDC link (CSC) is
expected to go into operation late 2015 and the Eirgrid link
(VSC) currently being commissioned are used to achieve the
increase transfers of renewable wind energy. The harmonic
assessment for both these HVDC links will produce harmonic
limits specifications requirements similar to that for wind
farms. This has been considered an acceptable approach
leading to optimized filter design where planning levels and
compatibility levels referred to in ER G5/4 are currently used.
The filters are designed for (1) mitigation of the characteristic
emissions (2) attenuation of pre-existing system harmonic
levels and (3) provision of reactive VARs consumption for
CSC type HVDC and maintenance of required system
reactive exchange.

3 Conclusion
The paper has set out the modelling differences in wind farms
and HVDC converter stations required in studies to determine
harmonic limits at interface points for these connections. In
the future world where many developers, transmission owners
and system operators will interact closely, these studies will
be required by different parties and will present many
technical challenges. The foreseeable challenges are
maintaining a consistent approach to these activities and
coordinating these activities to allow an optimised design
which avoids inadequate system performance and wastage.

The recommended approach for assessment of an HVDC

converter station differs to that of wind farms and details of
this work can be referenced [5, 6]. The assessment criteria
are:

WF1

WF2

WF3

Offshore AC
substation
WF4

OFTO1 HVDC2

AC

HVDC1
OSTO3
(Europe)

OSTO1
(UK)

WF5

OSTO2
(Europe)

HVDC3

UK shoreline

Figure 2 A simplistic illustration of possible layout with

onshore and offshore transmission systems

Acknowledgements
The author would like to express his gratitude to Parsons
Brinckerhoff for its technical and financial support for the
preparation and presentation of this paper.

References
[1] Department of Energy and Climate Change. UK
Renewable Energy Roadmap, July 2011.
[2] ENTSO, ENTSO-E 10-Year Network Development
Plan 2012 Project For Consultation, Draft Version for
Public Consultation, 1 March 26April 2012.
[3] Kah Leong Koo, Harmonic assessments for filter
design specifications at U.K. National Grid Electricity
Transmission System for large wind farms, 45th
International Universities Power Conference, Cardiff,
Wales, 31st Aug 3rd Sept 2010.
[4] Foroozan Ghassemi, Kah-Leong Koo. Equivalent
Network for Wind Farm Harmonic Assessments, IEEE
Transactions on Power Delivery, VOL. 25, NO.3 July
2010.
[5] Z.Emin, F.Ghassemi, J.J.Price, Harmonic Performance
Requirements of an HVDC Connection; Network Owner
Perspective, ACDC 2010, 9th International Conference
on AC and DC Power Transmission, London, United
Kingdom, Paper 0061, 20-21 October 2010.
[6] K.L.Koo, Z.Emin, F.Ghassemi and J.J.Price, Harmonic
performance specification of a VSC type HVDC, Cigre
International Symposium, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil,
Paper 73, April 3-6, 2011.

Harmonic modelling for simulation of HVDC

Converter Stations and Wind Farms
connected to a transmission system
Kah Leong KOO, PhD*
*Principal Power Systems Engineer, Power Networks,
Parsons Brinckerhoff, Leong.Koo@pbworld.com

Rationale for this IET Paper

Sharing experiences and challenges in harmonic assessments of offshore

wind farms and HVDC projects in the UK :

RWE Gwynt-Y-Mor 635MW offshore wind farm at Bodelwyddan new 400kV

substation (currently being commissioned)

EON London Array Stage 1 635MW offshore wind farm at Cleve Hill new 400kV
substation (currently being commissioned)

Centrica Lincs 270MW offshore windfarm at Walpole 400kV substation (currently

being comissioned)

Eirgrid 500MW VSC type HVDC (EWIP)connecting at 400kV Deeside substation

(UK) and Woodland (Ireland) (currently being commissioned)

Western HVDC CSC 2.2 GW link between England (new Connahs Quay 400kV
substation) and Hunterston in Scotland (contract being awarded to Siemens
expected commissioning in 2015)

Typical arrangement of an offshore wind farm

EH V G ri d co n n e ct io n
u su al ly 4 0 0 o r 2 7 5
k V , TO a sse t

A re a 1
B o u n d ar y

In te r fa c e Po in t

R e a ct iv e po w e r
co m pe nsa t io n a nd
ha r mo n ic mit ig a t io n

Ar e a 2
M V O f fs h o re
c o lle c to r b u s
u su all y 3 3 k V

N /O : n o r m a lly o p en

N/ O
M o re tu r b in es

N /O

N /O

M o re str in g s

Wind Farm harmonic model required for harmonic analysis

Sub-transmission network (cables, transformers)

Dynamic and passive compensation equipments (SVCs,

MSCs, SHRs ..)

Wind turbine generator systems (WTG harmonic source, WTG

transformer, Filters)

Cable capacitance of wind farms

Not adequate to lump capacitance for wind farms MV network

and aggregate harmonic injections at Interface Point (S8.3 IEC
61400-21) .

Reference - Foroozan Ghassemi and Kah-Leong Koo,

Equivalent Network for Wind Farm Harmonic Assessments,
IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery, Vol. 25, No.3, July 2010.

Transformers

Frequency dependent resistance

modelled.

Inter and intra-winding capacitance

transformers need not be modelled.

Dynamic and passive compensation equipments

Dynamic type equipments

like SVCs modelled.
Passive type equipments
modelled (e.g. filters).

Self Impedance from HV tertiary transformer with and without filters

Wind turbine generator systems

Harmonic injections
WTG transformer normally
at 0.69/33kV
Single tuned filters

Background harmonic levels changes latest measurements

Harmonic levels demonstrating 3 consecutive years

Modification of background harmonic levels

V 'harm bg

M u Vharm bg

Where:
Vharmbg is the background harmonic level after wind farm is
connected.
Vharmbg is the background harmonic level before wind farm
is connected.
M is the magnification or attenuation of the harmonic level.

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Voltage distortion calculated at Interface Point

from all harmonic injections
n Nwtg

Vdist

V Fn(V wtg , Z Fn( Z circuits , Z transformers ) 

n 1

R.H.S. 1
n Nsvc

V Fn(V

svc

, Z Fn( Z circuits , Z transformers )

n 1

R.H.S. 2
Where:
R.H.S. 1 represents all wind turbine emissions accounting for all MV circuit elements
R.H.S. 2 represents all active compensation equipments accounting for all MV circuit
elements

11

HVDC approach for Voltage distortion calculated

at Interface Point

VHVDC@IP

VPL@R  VBKG@R
G IP-R

Where:
VHVDC@IP is the permissible incremental distortion at interface point,
VPL@R is the planning level as per ER G5-4 at remote node,
VBKG@R is the background distortion at remote node,
GIP-R is the harmonic voltage gain from the interface point to remote node

12

A simple network illustrating Interface Point and remote nodes

where gains are calculated

Interface Point
Load

Load

New Load

Load

Load

13

A simplistic illustration of possible layout with combinations of

multiple onshore and offshore transmission systems near future??

WF 1

WF 2

WF 3

O f f sho r e A C
s ubs ta t io n
W F4

O ST O 1
(U K )

W F5

O F TO 1

HV D C 2

O S TO 2
(E u r o p e)

AC

H V D C1
O ST O 3
( E u r o p e)
H VD C 3

UK sho r el ine

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Conclusions

Modelling differences for limit assessments when dealing with wind farms and
HVDCs.
Looking forward HVDC and Wind farm owners/developers, transmission owners
and system operators have different roles in meeting many power quality challenges.
Foreseeable challenges and certainly not by any measure exhausted include:
All parties maintaining consistent approach to assessment activities.
Coordinating these activities to optimise design of these connections.
Timely delivery of these assessments to avoid unnecessary delays in these
connections.

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References

Kah Leong Koo, Harmonic assessments for filter design specifications at U.K.
National Grid Electricity Transmission System for large wind farms, 45th International
Universities Power Conference, Cardiff, Wales, 31st Aug 3rd Sept 2010.
Foroozan Ghassemi, Kah-Leong Koo. Equivalent Network for Wind Farm Harmonic
Assessments, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, VOL. 25, NO.3 July 2010.
Z.Emin, F.Ghassemi, J.J.Price, Harmonic Performance Requirements of an HVDC
Connection; Network Owner Perspective, ACDC 2010, 9th International Conference
on AC and DC Power Transmission, London, United Kingdom, Paper 0061, 20-21
October 2010.
K.L.Koo, Z.Emin, F.Ghassemi and J.J.Price, Harmonic performance specification of
a VSC type HVDC, Cigre International Symposium, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil,
Paper 73, April 3-6, 2011.

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Questions??

17

Poster P1 to look for further discussions and details -

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