Transient stability of DFIG wind turbines at an external short‐circuit fault

Abstract The fast development of wind power generation brings new requirements for wind turbine integration into the network. After clearance of an external short‐circuit fault, grid‐connected wind turbines should restore their normal operation without power loss caused by disconnections. This article concentrates on the transient stability of variable speed wind turbines with doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) at an external short‐circuit fault. A simulation model of a MW‐level variable speed wind turbine with a DFIG developed in PSCAD/EMTDC is presented and the control and protection schemes are described in detail. The transient process of grid‐connected wind turbines with DFIGs at an external short‐circuit fault is analysed, and in critical post‐fault situations a measure is proposed for the voltage recovery of DFIG wind turbines after fault clearance. Simulation results demonstrate that in uncritical post‐fault situations the control schemes are able to restore the wind turbine's normal operation without disconnections. It is also proved that the proposed measure is effective in re‐establishing the voltage at the wind turbine terminal in critical post‐fault situations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.