Impact of a medium-size wave farm on grids of different strength levels

Power fluctuations generated by most oscillating wave energy converters may have a negative impact on the power quality of the local grid to which the wave farms will be connected. Hence, assessing their impact is an important step in the selection process of a suitable deployment location. However, site-specific grid impact assessment studies are relatively time-consuming and require a high level of detail on the local network. Both of these constraints mean that grid impact studies are usually not performed in the preliminary stages of the site selection process, despite the extremely negative consequences resulting from poor power quality. This paper details a comprehensive study based on a relatively typical wave farm design connected to networks of different strength levels. The study was performed using experimental electrical power time series of an oscillating water column (OWC) device generated under the framework of the European FP7 project 'CORES'. Simulations were performed using DIgSILENT power system simulator 'PowerFactory'.