Engineering of connection of wind farms to power grids

Engineering of connection of wind farms to power grids

In addition to selecting the land for the construction of a wind farm, it is also important to assess the condition of the local electricity grid from the economic attractiveness point of view. The grid connection process is one of the key stages in the development of wind power facilities.

The connection of the wind farm to the power grid involves the following stages:

• Drawing up a brief design.
• Obtaining urban development conditions and limitations by the Client.
• Development and approval of a feasibility study by the relevant authorities (regional energy authorities or National Power Company Ukrenergo). The Feasibility Study considers options for connection of the wind farm to the electricity grid, considering their economic attractiveness and technical feasibility.
• Based on the Feasibility Study, the Client obtains technical specifications for connection to the power grid. The designer prepares load calculations and information for the specifications. The specifications are obtained from the regional energy authorities. When connecting a large capacity of wind farm to the 110 kV grid, it is necessary to obtain (coordinate) technical conditions for connection from National Power Company Ukrenergo Ukrenergo.
• Based on the above-mentioned documents, design works are carried out, which consist of:

1. Arrangement of the wind farm – includes location of wind turbines, roads, technological driveways, and cable routes.
2. Substation – new construction or reconstruction of the existing one, according to specifications. Reconstruction is usually more financially viable. Often it is necessary to build a new substation to accumulate power and carry out reconstruction of the substation to which the wind farm is connected.
3. The transmission line – construction of a new transmission line from the new substation to the existing regional energy authority (Ukrenergo) substation, or construction of a new transmission line together with reconstruction of the existing transmission lines (as specified by the technical specifications).

• Approval of project documentation by regional energy authority or National Power Company Ukrenergo.
• Completion of design documentation expertise and obtaining a positive expert statement.
• Obtaining a construction permit – based on approval of design documentation by regional energy authority or Ukrenergo and a positive expert statement (report).

If the land for construction of the transmission line or substation belongs to the Natural Reserve Fund areas or areas that are the part of the Emerald Network or has indirect impact on such areas – it is mandatory to consider the impact of activities in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as well as to monitor flora and fauna. MCL specialists are experienced in relevant procedures and studies in accordance with Ukrainian legislation and international practice and have an in-house team of biologists. We also have professionals of various specializations: designers, architects, specialists in engineering grids and special project sections, which allows us to carry out comprehensive development of project documentation at all design stages.