Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia), in collaboration with the Western Electricity Coordinating Council’s (WECC’s) Renewable Energy Modeling Task Force (REMTF), has released an updated version of the WECC Wind Plant Dynamic Modeling Guidelines for the second generation of generic wind turbine generator models. These positive-sequence power flow and dynamic models are routinely used for simulation and planning of power system networks. The North American Reliability Corporation, the nation’s electric reliability watchdog, has stated that developing and improving access to validated, nonproprietary models is a prerequisite for large-scale integration of variable generation.

The second generation of generic of wind turbine generator models was developed and approved by the WECC Modeling and Validation Working Group. The new versions of the models incorporate a modular approach. That is, the models are made up of smaller modules that are truly generic and usable for any appropriate renewable generation system. This format allows for additional versions to be developed for each module as changes are deemed necessary in the future. These models have been implemented in General Electric’s Positive Sequence Load Flow Software, Siemens Power Technologies International Power Transmission System Planning software, and PowerWorld power system simulation software. 

Sandia has been actively involved in the development of these models through the REMTF, is the current chair of the task force, and is an active participant in a similar ongoing effort by the International Electrotechnical Commission.