High Wind Speed Shutdown analysis

High Wind Speed (HWS) Shutdown is the unexpected shutdown of a wind turbine due to potentially harmful levels of wind speeds resulting in the sudden loss of generation. By 2020 over 4000 MW of wind generation is expected to connect to the system of the Republic of Ireland. HWS was identified as a potential challenge to the integration of high level of wind generation. The following analysis was undertaken to develop a better understanding of the effect that HWS Shutdown has on a power system. Data supplied by EirGrid, the Transmission System Operator, for the year 2010 was used to establish HWS shutdown effects and to uncover any trends such as location, models types, time of year etc... The windfarms involved in the study totaled 835 MW (23 Windfarms) of the 1396 MW on the system (Dec 2010). They consist mostly of transmission connected windfarms and also large distribution connected windfarms. A total of 3181 MWh was lost during 2010 due to HWS Shutdown, however only 5 windfarms in the study exceeded more than 20 hours of HWS Shutdown. Certain model types were also more sensitive to Shutdowns that others. More technologically advanced turbines were able to remain generating despite wind speeds of 30 m/s.