Time-frequency analysis for the grid power quality of a variable speed wind turbine

In this paper, we utilize joint time-frequency analysis to inspect frequency-varying currents at the grid connection of a variable speed wind turbine system. Through simulation experiments based on a PSCAD dynamic model, frequency-varying characteristics of the currents are investigated and compared with the wind speed. Of particular note is the appearance of nonharmonic frequencies when the wind speed drops below a certain critical value, which is potentially harmful to the grid power quality. A comparison method based on joint time-frequency analysis is also provided to estimate the onset wind speed corresponding to the appearance of the extraneous frequencies.