Overvoltage Protection on High-Frequency
Switching Transients in Large Offshore Wind Farms
Y.L. Xin, W.H. Tang∗
School of Electric Power Engineering
South China University of Technology
Guangzhou, China, 510640
Email: wenhutang@scut.edu.cn
Abstract—High-frequency switching overvolatges (SOV) are
considered as a possible source causing component failures in
existing offshore wind farms (OWFs). In order to study such over-
volatges in OWFs, the main OWF components, including vacuum
circuit breaker (VCB), submarine cables and transformers should
be properly investigated. Firstly the parameters influencing VCB
behaviors are considered, such as current chopping, the withstand
capability of transient recovery voltage and the capability of high-
frequency current interruption, to develop a detailed VCB model,
which is capable of simulating multiple prestrikes and reignition in
VCBs. Subsequently, related system element models are improved
based on existing models considering frequency characteristics.
Finally, this paper presents the main results of high-frequency
switching overvolatges using various mitigation approaches, which
are generated due to the energization of wind turbines in OWFs.
The simulation results indicate the user-defined VCB model can
simulate prestrikes and the proposed protection methods are
effective for mitigating high-frequency switching overvoltages.
Index Terms—Switching Overvoltages; Vacuum Circuit
Breaker; Offshore Wind Farm; Overvoltage Protection Methods.
I. I NTRODUCTION
The phenomena of switching transient is of great importance
in electric power systems in general, not least in OWFs.
Switching transients consist of both energization overvoltages
and de-energization ones. Since an OWF consists of a series of
cable-transformer connections, such transmission systems are
very different from traditional onshore networks [1]. In OWFs,
switching transients including energization and de-energization
of system elements are main reasons for overvoltages. The
aggregated overvoltages may exceed to the withstand level of
system components, when the travelling wave frequency of
energized cable equals to the dominant resonance frequency of
wind turbine transformers [1], [2]. The rise rate of overvoltages
du/dt is a crucial factor to be considered for transformer inter-
turn resonances, which may lead to high frequency overvolt-
ages. The closing operation of a VCB during energization
of wind farm networks can cause high-frequency transient
overvoltages, which have a negative influence on the insula-
tion structure of cables, transformers and turbine generators.
The repetitive impact on OWF systems without any remedial
action may cause premature ageing of the above mentioned
components, hence, it is essential to develop accurate and
978-1-5090-4168-8/16/$31.00 ©2016 IEEE
L. Luan, G.Y. Chen, H. Wu
Electric Power Test Research Institute
Guangzhou Power Supply Co. Ltd.
Guangzhou, China, 510620
Email: 149529958@qq.com
detailed models of system components in OWFs for studying
and analysing these transients and overvoltages [1], [3].
Components such as transformers and electric machines
behave differently at different frequency ranges. The dominant
behavior is nonlinear and inductive, however capacitive at
high frequencies [4]. Due to the skin effect, the resistance
of the cables increases when the frequency increases. For
VCBs, multiple prestrikes and reignitions occur in VCBs, so
it is necessary to take into account of the impact on OWF
systems [4], [5]. However, main component models in existing
electromagnetic transient simulation tools are mostly suitable
for 50/60 Hz, which do not meet the requirements of high-
frequency switching transients. Therefore, the use of defined
models is often necessary for typical components in OWFs.
The rest of this paper is organized as follows: the following
section presents the modeling methodology and model valida-
tion for the main components of OWFs. After that, Section III
describes the mitigation methods of SOVs. Section IV displays
the simulation results and discussions. Finally, conclusions are
drawn in Section V.
II. L AYOUTS AND C OMPONENT M ODELS OF O FFSHORE
W IND FARM
A. Typical Layout of Wind Farm
According to typical collector system topology types, an
OWF can be grouped into four main classes: the radial design,
the single-sided ring design, the double-sided ring design and
the star design [4]. Without the loss of generality, in this
research the radial topology is used as an example to illustrate
the basic configuration of a typical OWF and study the high-
frequency switching transients.
The investigated wind farm consists of 80 wind turbines,
which are arranged in a parallelogram, formed by 10 rows with
8 wind turbines each. The terminal voltage of wind turbines
is about 690 V and raised to 33 kV by step-up transformers.
The transformer is then connected to 10 feeders in radials
through submarine cables and Medium Voltage (MV) VCBs.
The feeders are further connected to a MV bus-bar via “root”
cables and VCBs. The bus-bar is then ended to a substation
transformer with 250 MVA power rating and 110/33 kV voltage
rating. This substation can be placed onshore or offshore. The
connection of the wind farm transformer to the external grid is
overhead lines. The layout of the described wind farm is shown
in Fig. 1.
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
$ row A. To reduce the simulation time, the complexity of the
%
& low voltage side of wind turbine transformers. The heavy load
'
( Due to outstanding and low maintenance requirements,
)
*
+ farms and the currently available models evidently do not
Fig. 1. Layout of a typical wind farm.
In Fig. 1, the length of cable between two wind turbines
is a 80 m within the same feeder, and the distance between
feeder lines and bus is 5 km. The distance between rows is
700 m, and the collecting transformer is 20 km off the grid,
which is simplified to a π circuit. In fact, the 8 feeders can be
divided into two outgoing lines connected by three winding
transformers in the above wind farm model, which can be
regarded as two independent subsystems. Therefore, to reduce
the calculation time and make simulations easier, the complete
switching overvoltage simulation model of the above wind farm
is simplified, the simplified model is shown in Fig. 2.
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
$ TABLE I
Fig. 2. Layout of a simplified wind farm.
B. Modeling of Offshore Wind Farm
PSCAD/EMTDC [6] is used for modeling the components of
the investigated offshore wind farm as illustrated in this section.
In this model, its components are modeled as described below:
1) The external is equivalent to a 110 kV voltage source.
2) The 20 km transmission is modeled as a π circuit.
3) The offshore substation transformer adopts a 33 kV/110
kV three-phase two-winding transformer.
4) Considering the influence of electromagnetic transients,
the step-up transformer in the wind farm is improved based
on UMEC (unified magnetic equivalent circuit model)
rating as 690 V/33 kV in PSCAD.
5) Only row A is modeled in details, the rows B, C and D
are modeled as three-phase single cables, because they are
connected in parallel.
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6) In order to observe the high-frequency switching transients
of wind turbine transformers, the VCB of the first wind
turbine is improved, and other VCBs are simulated using
the built-in model in PSCAD.
Eight identical wind turbines transformers are connected in
wind farm model is reduced by equivalent models. All the wind
turbine generators are modeled as heavy loads connected on the
is modeled as a high resistance of 1 MΩ.
C. Modeling of Vacuum Circuit Breaker
VCBs are widely used in OWFs to perform frequent switching
operations. Hence it is important to be able to accurately
represent this component. Recent researches show the impor-
tance of the representation of VCBs in simulations of wind
have sufficiently accuracies for this component to replicate
switching overvoltages [4]. The different breaker properties that
are generally considered are [7]:
• Random nature of the arcing time
• Current chopping ability
• The characteristic recovery dielectric strength between
contacts
• The quenching capability of high frequency current at zero
crossing
Taking account of the above properties, a detailed MV VCB
model is developed in PSCAD. Coordinated with the built-in
breaker model in PSCAD, the user-defined circuit breaker is
controlled by a circuit logic program written in Fortran. Figure
3 shows the decision matrix of the circuit breaker (taking the
closing model for an example). The main input parameters of
the user-defined VCB model are summarized in TABLE I.
T HE INPUT PARAMETERS FOR THE DEVELOPED VCB MODEL .
Parameter Description
topen [ms] Opening time of VCB
tclose [ms] Closing time of VCB
Ichop [A] Chopping current
A [kV/s] Rate of rise of the dielectric strength
Transient recovery voltage just before current
B [kV]
zero crossing
The rate of rise of VCB high-frequency quen-
C [kA/s2 ]
ching capability
Quenching capability just before the contact
D [kA/s]
separation
The maximum dielectric strength that the VCB
TRVlimit
can withstand
The developed VCB model is able to simulate more VCB
properties, such as reignitions, restrikes and prestrikes. Thus,
the model of VCB is capable of producing overvoltages on the
VCB and on other system components.
 W FORVH  $ %& '759OLP LW &RQVWDQWLQSXWGDWD 3) Noda: Frequency-dependent model. This algorithm models
frequency-dependent transmission lines and cables in the
,QWLDOL]DWLRQ phase domain.
4) Semlyen: Frequency-dependent simple fitted model. The
Semlyen model was one of the first frequency-dependent
2XWSXWGDWD
line models. It may give inaccurate or unstable solutions
,QSXWGDWD
at high frequencies.
5) J-Marti: Frequency-dependent model (over na wide range
1R of frequencies) with a constant transformation matrix that
7,0( ! W FORVH
is suitable for simulating travelling wave phenomena of
long cables.
9GZ 759OLP LW  $7,0(  W FORVH   %
, TXFK &7,0(  W FORVH   ' The most popular models are π, Bergeron and J-Marti, and
the J-Marti model is among the most suitable models for high
frequency studies, because it is based on long line distributed
1R
%UN  parameters. As discussed in [1], it is known that above 10
kHz the J-Marti model consists best with real situations. The
<HV
frequency-dependent (phase) model in PSCAD is based on
1R the theory of the J-Marti model. The model is basically a
DEV 9E  ! 9GZ
distributed RLC traveling wave model, which incorporates the
<HV frequency dependency of all parameters. This model represents
%UN  the frequency dependence of internal transformation matrices.
Therefore, in this research the frequency-dependency (phase)
_ , E u 3UHB , _ 
1R model is adopted to represent submarine cables.
, E  3UHB ,
, TXFK ! DEV   In practice, the actual cables are more complex than the
'(/7
<HV
%UN 
Fig. 3. Flow chart of the close model for a VCB.
D. Modeling of Submarine Cables
Due to the skin effect and the proximity effect, the resistance
of cables varies at different frequencies. Thus, in order to obtain
accurate transient simulation results, it is necessary to utilize
a frequency dependent cable model. In the present research,
there are two main approaches for representing transmission
lines, the “π lumped parameter approach” for short and medium
lines, and the “distributed parameters approach” for long lines
and accurate representations. Researchers developed various
models, such as the π model, the J-Marti model, the Bergeron
model [1], to represent cables. A user can select from a number
of cable models, such as lumped or distributed parameters and
frequency-independent or frequency-dependent models. The
cable model selection depends on a number of factors, such
as the cable length, the nature of the simulation (fault, surges,
etc) and the desired accuracy of results.
The follows are the various alternative cable models, which
have been developed [1]:
1) Bergeron: Distributed parameter model including travel-
ling wave phenomena. However, it represents the line
resistance as a lumped element.
2) PI: Give the correct fundamental impedance, but cannot
accurately represent other frequencies unless many sec-
tions are used. This model is suitable for very short lines.
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model in PSCAD. In order to increase accuracies of simulation
results, it is necessary to determine cable parameters according
to the geometric parameters and material properties of the cable.
In this study, the cable model parameters are derived form the
actual XLPE cable parameters provided by ABB [8].
E. Transformer
There are two different transformer models in PSCAD, in-
cluding the classical model and the UMEC model. The UMEC
model takes account of the magnetic coupling between different
phases, however the classical model does not. Therefore, in this
research the UMEC model is adopted for simulating wind farm
transformers. Considering the transformer stray capacitances
has a dominant effect at high frequencies, the authors improve
the UMEC model by adding capacitances at terminals of
transformer according to the theory proposed by J.C. Das et al
in [9]. The improved model is simple but reasonably accurate
for the high frequency transient analysis of transformers. A
capacitor is connected in parallel to the UMEC model, as shown
in Fig. 4. Since the values of the stray capacitances are provided
by a manufacturer, it is difficult to obtain accurate values.
Therefore, referring to the typical values given in paper [9],
the approximate values of the stray capacitances are employed
in this work.
III. S IMULATION R ESULTS AND D ISCUSSIONS
The following paragraphs present the developed system
model in PSCAD and its simulation results. The switching
operations under this investigation are the closing operation
operation of a wind turbine in its power collection grid. These
operations are chosen because of the challenges of reproducing
prestrikes in its connected VCBs, furthermore the switching
 &+/ T1 TRV curve (with user−defined VCB model and without any protection)
50
A
B
40
C

30

&/

Overvolatge (kV)
20
&+
10

−10

−20
Fig. 4. High-frequency model of step-up transformer with terminal stray
capacitances. −30
0.1195 0.12 0.1205 0.121 0.1215 0.122 0.1225
Time (s)

operations of wind turbine VCBs with energized submarine
cables are the most common switching operations in any large
offshore wind farm.
A. Normal closing without any protection
This case is simulated by closing the user-defined VCB at
0.1185 seconds without any protection. The transient recovery
voltage (TRV) curves of in all the three phases are shown in Fig.
5. For clarification purposes Fig. 5 is magnified, only displaying
results between 0.1195 and 0.1225 seconds, as shown in Fig.
6. The results clearly indicate that the breaker has experienced
multiple prestrikes, which lead to transient overvolatges at the
wind turbine transformer. The value of voltage rise to 1.6 pu
(45 kV), which may have negative effect on the insulation of
transformers. And this overvoltage may propagate across other
system components and cause more serious faults. Therefore, in
order to reduce adverse effects, it is necessary to adopt effective
protection methods of SOV to protect system components.
T1 TRV curve (with user−defined VCB model and without any protection)
50
A with RC protection
B
40
C
30
Fig. 6. The SOV of VW11 from 0.1195 s to 0.1225 s.
on the application of apparatus protected. Traditionally, SOV
is limited through the adoption of PIR (Pre-insertion Resistor)
in the line circuit breakers. The installation of surge arresters
is also used to mitigate SOV. Furthermore, in practice RC-
filters with large values of the phase to ground capacitances are
commonly used as a protective element. In recent research, D.
Smugala et al. [11], [12] proposed a novel protection method
against high-frequency transients. This method comprises of
a series impedance element (choke) installed upstream the
protected device. The R-L choke of appropriately designed
frequency characteristic allows one to significantly reduce the
voltage wavefront rise time and, at the same time minimize its
influence on the equipment under normal operating conditions.
T1 TRV curve comparison
50
without any protection
40
30
Overvolatge (kV)

20
Overvolatge (kV)

20
10
10
0
0
−10
−10
−20
−20
−30
0.118 0.119 0.12 0.121 0.122 0.123 0.124 0.125
−30 Time (s)
0.12 0.125 0.13 0.135 0.14 0.145 0.15 0.155
Time (s)

Fig. 7. Comparison of SOV of VW11 with and without RC protection.

Fig. 5. The SOV of wind VW11 of row A with user-defined VCB.

The above figures present simulations of various mitigation

B. Simulation results of various protection methods
There are various protection methods against high transient
overvoltages and very fast transients, described in the literature
and widely used in practice [10] (e.g., surge capacitors, RC
filters, pre-inserted resistors, or surge arresters). An employed
protection method depends on the character of the transient and
methods. Figure 7 shows a comparison between without any
protection and with RC protection. From Fig. 7, it is seen the
amplitude of transformer terminal voltages is reduced to 1.02 pu
(28.5 kV), and the number of prestrikes are decreased. Figure 8
is the waveform at transformer terminals during the closing-on
operation of VCB. The overvoltage is reduced to 1.04 pu (29

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 T1 TRV curve comparison IV. C ONCLUSION
50
without any protection
with surge capacitor
This research investigates the high-frequency switching tran-
40
sient overvolatges in OWFs. In order to accurately perform the
30 high frequency transient analysis in OWFs, some key com-
ponents models have been developed or improved. A detailed
Overvolatge (kV)

20
VCB model has been developed based on the ideal model
10
in PSCAD by considering the properties of current chopping
0 ability, the recovery dielectric strength between contacts and the
quenching capability of high frequency current at zero crossing.
−10
The wind turbine transformer is also improved by adding
−20 terminal capacitances to the high and low voltage sides. The
−30
energization of a wind turbine transformer is first simulated,
0.1195 0.12 0.1205 0.121 0.1215 0.122 0.1225 0.123 0.1235
Time (s) and the results shows high frequency oscillation and switching
overvoltages occurs in transformers. Therefore, several high-
Fig. 8. Comparison of SOV of VW11 with and without surge capacitor frequency protection methods have been adopted to mitigate
protection switching overvoltages. The results manifest the switching
overvoltages decrease when RC filters or surge capacitors are
T1 TRV curve comparison used. The R-L choke method damps the du/dt of overvoltages
50
without any protection but does not reduce the amplitude of overvoltages. Thus, in the
with choke protection
40 future more studies and experiments are required in order to
30
decrease the adverse effects of high-frequency SOV in OWFs.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Overvolatge (kV)

20

10
The project is supported by the National High Technology
Research and Development Program of China (863 Program)
0
(No. 2015AA050201) and the National Natural Science Foun-
−10 dation of China (No. 51477054).
−20 R EFERENCES
−30
0.1195 0.12 0.1205 0.121 0.1215 0.122 0.1225 0.123 0.1235
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