" AWEA is pleased that the agreement worked out with NERC has been approved by FERC without modification," said AWEA executive director Randall Swisher. "The goal of NERC and the goal of the wind energy industry--to set clear standards for wind turbines to keep producing and supporting the grid during voltage disturbances elsewhere on the system (‘Low Voltage Ride-Through‘)--have been met. This is a central requirement for the wind industry's rapid growth into a mature, mainstream utility-scale technology."
The Order provides:
* Low Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT) requirements consistent with AWEA's settlement with NERC in terms of the specifications that take into account the needs at different locations on the grid, and the minimal ability for regional variations. LVRT is the ability for a power plant to remain on line during a momentary fault nearby. * A case-by-case determination of power factor (reactive power) requirements. The costs of adding more of this capability would be imposed on wind developers only when system impact studies show them to be necessary. * A transition period so that wind turbines need not be re-engineered to comply with new requirements.
