A static analysis of maximum wind penetration in Iowa and a dynamic assessment of frequency response in wind turbine types

As the energy industry moves into the 21st century the use and research into renewable resources has expanded significantly. Whether it is wind, biomass, or solar, the industry is seeking ways to breakthrough and integrate the newest technologies into their power systems. Wind energy, in particular, has seen significant expansion since the 1980's, with generating capability of wind turbines increasing dramatically from 50 kW to nearly 5 MW presently. Seeking to introduce larger levels of wind generation in the Iowa electricity system, the goal of this thesis was to: First, determine the maximum wind penetration level of the existing transmission system in Iowa based on thermal loading limitations. Second, identify effects of increased wind penetration on system frequency response.