A novel method for estimating the flicker level generated by a wave energy farm composed of devices operated in variable speed mode

The output power of wave energy farms may be very fluctuating, which may give rise to power quality issues such as flicker. However, although there existed a method for estimating the flicker level generated by a wave energy farm in relation to its short-circuit ratio (as described in IEC standard 61400-21), until recently, no method had been defined yet regarding the two other major parameters on which flicker level is highly dependent: the impedance angle at the point of connection and the rated power of the farm. In a previous work, the authors had presented a method for estimating the level of wave farm-induced flicker as a function of these latter parameters. They had identified two relationships regarding the impedance angle and the rated power in the case where the wave energy devices composing the farm are operated in fixed speed mode. This article presents the results of a follow-on work regarding the generalization of this method in the case of wave energy devices operated in variable speed mode.