Wind farm inertia emulation to fulfill Hydro-Québec´s specific need

Large scale integration of wind energy on Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie´s (HQT´s) transmission system has triggered a need for frequency support by wind farms. In order to maintain actual system performance, HQT has requested an inertia emulation function that would cover lack of inertia and spinning reserve from modern variable speed wind turbine generators. This paper exposes the situation and Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie´s approach to quantify inertia emulation needs. As of today, this is still an ongoing interactive process between manufacturers awarded the second call for tenders for wind power and HQT. Final wind turbine models including the inertia emulation function will have to be tested before the associated wind turbines come online.