Wind farm integrated into a futuristic smart grid

Smart Grids Get Smarter: How Low-Order Modeling is Revolutionizing Wind Farm Integration

Nico Varela in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how advanced modeling techniques are making wind energy a more reliable and stable part of our power grids."

The integration of wind power into existing energy grids has always presented challenges. While wind energy is a crucial component of a sustainable future, its inherent variability poses significant hurdles for grid stability. Traditional power grids rely on predictable energy sources, making it difficult to accommodate the fluctuating nature of wind power.

One promising solution involves using Voltage Source Converter-based High Voltage Direct Current (VSC-HVDC) technologies. These systems allow for more efficient and flexible integration of wind farms into the grid. As wind power penetration increases, however, concerns about grid inertia and power reserves become more pronounced. To address these concerns, researchers are developing innovative control methods, one of which is the virtual synchronous machine (VSM) control.

This article explores how low-order response modeling is transforming the way wind farms participate in primary frequency control. By providing a simplified yet accurate representation of wind farm dynamics, this modeling approach facilitates better control system design and parameter tuning, leading to more stable and reliable grid operation.

Why is Low-Order Modeling a Game Changer for Wind Energy?

Wind farm integrated into a futuristic smart grid

Low-order response modeling offers a simplified yet effective way to represent the complex dynamics of wind farms and HVDC systems. Unlike detailed electromagnetic transient (EMT) models, which can be computationally burdensome, low-order models provide a system-level overview that is ideal for analyzing dynamic interactions and designing control systems.

Here’s how this modeling approach makes a difference:

Illustrative Insight: Transfer function-based block diagrams offer clear insight into the dynamic interaction between AC frequencies and DC voltages.
Convenient Control Design: The model simplifies the process of designing control systems and tuning parameters for optimal performance.
LQR Optimization: Linear quadratic regulation (LQR) optimization can be applied to determine the best droop and damping gains for frequency regulation.
System-Level Perspective: Provides a broad view of how wind farms, HVDC systems, and the main AC grid interact.

The key benefit of low-order modeling lies in its ability to strike a balance between accuracy and computational efficiency. This balance allows grid operators to make informed decisions and implement effective control strategies without being bogged down by complex simulations.

The Future of Smart Grids and Wind Energy

As wind energy continues to play an increasingly vital role in global energy production, the ability to seamlessly integrate wind farms into existing power grids becomes ever more critical. Low-order response modeling represents a significant step forward in achieving this goal. By providing grid operators with the tools and insights they need to manage the dynamic behavior of wind farms, this modeling approach paves the way for a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy future.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1109/tpwrs.2018.2874042, Alternate LINK

Title: Low-Order Response Modeling For Wind Farm-Mtdc Participating In Primary Frequency Controls

Subject: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Journal: IEEE Transactions on Power Systems

Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Authors: Hua Ye, Wei Pei, Li Kong, Ting An

Published: 2019-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why is integrating wind power into existing energy grids challenging?

Integrating wind power is challenging due to its inherent variability, which contrasts with the predictable energy sources traditional power grids rely on. Accommodating these fluctuations is difficult for maintaining grid stability. Voltage Source Converter-based High Voltage Direct Current (VSC-HVDC) technologies and innovative control methods like virtual synchronous machine (VSM) control are employed to tackle these issues as wind power penetration increases concerns about grid inertia and power reserves.

How does low-order response modeling help in primary frequency control for wind farms?

Low-order response modeling simplifies the complex dynamics of wind farms, providing an accurate representation that facilitates better control system design and parameter tuning. This leads to more stable and reliable grid operation. It allows for analyzing dynamic interactions and designing control systems, unlike detailed electromagnetic transient (EMT) models, which can be computationally burdensome.

What are the key benefits of using low-order modeling for wind energy integration?

The key benefits include: providing illustrative insight through transfer function-based block diagrams for dynamic interaction between AC frequencies and DC voltages; convenient control design and parameter tuning; the ability to apply linear quadratic regulation (LQR) optimization to determine the best droop and damping gains for frequency regulation; and offering a system-level perspective on how wind farms, HVDC systems, and the main AC grid interact. The balance between accuracy and computational efficiency is crucial for grid operators to make informed decisions.

What role do Voltage Source Converter-based High Voltage Direct Current (VSC-HVDC) technologies play in wind farm integration, and what challenges remain?

Voltage Source Converter-based High Voltage Direct Current (VSC-HVDC) technologies enable more efficient and flexible integration of wind farms into the grid. However, as wind power penetration increases, concerns about grid inertia and power reserves become more pronounced. This necessitates the development of innovative control methods like virtual synchronous machine (VSM) control to address these concerns and ensure stable grid operation. These systems allow more efficient and flexible integration of wind farms.

How does low-order response modeling contribute to a more sustainable energy future?

Low-order response modeling provides grid operators with essential tools and insights for managing the dynamic behavior of wind farms. This facilitates the seamless integration of wind energy into existing power grids, paving the way for a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy future. By striking a balance between accuracy and computational efficiency, this approach allows for informed decision-making and effective control strategies. Without it, Virtual Synchronous Machine (VSM) control and Linear Quadratic Regulation (LQR) optimization would be harder to implement.