Challenges for the integration of wind park clusters into power grids

The main purpose of this thesis is to determine the optimal wind park allocation i.e. dispatch of wind parks in a cluster structure through the performance of iterative power flow calculations and considering the actual and forecasted generation values from the participating wind parks.

The first part of this thesis describes the grid connection requirements for wind power plants and the current wind power industry solutions developed to cope with this problem. The following chapter of this work presents the challenges regarding the market integration of wind power and its influence in the conventional dispatch process, as well as discussing the needs and benefits from the economic and technical point of view for the implementation of cluster structure. The methodology and approach for the dispatch of wind parks within a cluster structure is also presented and discussed.

The final section of this thesis presents the perspectives for the transmission system operators as well as for wind park operators through the implementation of cluster structure. Moreover, it is also discussed the market integration potential of wind power generation structures e.g. through the delivery of ancillary services and improvement in the active and reactive power scheduling.