Simplified Estimation of the Flicker Level Induced by Wave Energy Farms

Wave energy farms may cause voltage flicker on the local grid to which they will be connected due to the strong fluctuations that their output power may present. IEC standard 61400-21 describes methods for estimating the flicker level for different short-circuit ratios as well as for different numbers of devices composing the farm. This method was initially developed for wind farms but is applicable to wave energy farms as well. However, besides the short-circuit ratio and the number of devices composing the farm, the grid impedance angle has also a strong influence on flicker. Despite this, no method exists in the literature for estimating flicker as a function of this variable. This paper presents the results of a study intended to fill this gap by focusing on developing a simplified method for estimating the flicker level induced by a wave energy farm as a function of the grid impedance angle. The results obtained through this method are compared with those obtained from numerical load flow simulations performed with PowerFactory. These simulations were based on experimental power output time series of a wave energy prototype deployed at sea as part of the European CORES project. The voltage profiles thus generated were then processed by means of a flickermeter compliant with IEC standard 61000-4-15.