Direct interconnection of offshore electricity generators

In distributed energy systems, permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSG) are often connected to the grid via power converters, such as voltage source converters (VSC). The price of the converter constitutes a large part of the costs of a variablespeed turbine (driven either by wind or ocean energy system) and is often required in order to conform to stringent grid codes imposed by transmission system operators (TSOs). While the addition of these components assure compliance they have an impact on the overall reliability and, in an offshore environment, the reliability factor is paramount. A new approach which can be taken by the industry is to rethink the design of their offshore energy devices. In a “farm” like configuration, a different approach can be taken to make the farm compliant rather than involving each individual device. This approach can also be applied for any offshore renewable energy system using synchronous generators. Furthermore onshore locations could benefit from this configuration especially when remote. The performance of the new approach is analyzed, while general guidelines and recommendations imposed by the industry are applied in the analysis. By analyzing the results produced by the simulation model the guidelines for efficient synchronization and load sharing are presented. The simulation model is used to simulate generator paralleling, electromagnetic torque analysis and load transients. A scaled down prototype Wind Farm (WF) was also constructed and its results analyzed and compared to the simulation model. Practical measurements and observations are highlighted and analyzed. Wind speed is entered in the model to simulate behavior of the new approach in different conditions. Fault ride through and ride through capabilities of the model are also partially studied.