| 01 Jul 2026
Flexible Wind Farm Control: A Review of Wind Power Participation in Future Power Systems
Abstract. Conventional wind farm operation, which prioritises power maximisation, is poorly aligned with the evolving requirements of modern power systems, characterised by increased asynchronous generation and reduced dispatchable capacity. This review uses Flexible Wind Farm Control as a term that encompasses control techniques that intentionally modulate wind farm output to better integrate wind energy with the grid. Focusing on European and UK contexts, the review examines how current policy frameworks, market structures, and system-needs are driving demand for new sources of flexibility. A comprehensive review of the literature is presented, covering key application areas of Flexible Wind Farm Control including frequency control, voltage support, fault ride-through, and integration within co-located and hybrid energy systems. Particular attention is given to rotor-side control strategies enabling power set-point tracking, synthetic inertia provision, and reserve-based operation. The review highlights differences in objectives, time scales, and system interactions for Wind Farm Control strategies that prioritise grid support over power maximisation. However, inconsistencies between policy and the recognised role of wind energy in providing flexibility remain clear. At the same time, much of the existing literature relies on simplified modelling approaches, highlighting the need for higher-fidelity models of turbine and farm dynamics, including turbulence, wake effects, and component fatigue, to better asses the performance of Flexible Wind Farm Control strategies. Overall, the literature suggests a persistent gap between policy and the technical capabilities of Flexible Wind Farm Control. Although some policy makers have acknowledged the potential of wind farms to support flexibility, significant work is required to fully identify and implement these capabilities in future power systems. Going forward, increased data availability, higher-fidelity simulation results, and field studies will be essential to establish wind farms as reliable providers of power system flexibility.
General comments
The article tries to give an overview on the participation and support to (future) power systems. Although it's logical that not everything is treated in detail, as it is a review article, the article is very superficial (and unclear) in most parts. On the other hand, the comparison between the UK and the EU context is a positive element. The title mentions "future" power systems, but some elements described in the article are already implemented and applied in current wind farm operation. However, the current practices are hardly mentioned nor analysed.
Specific comments
The introduction section is rather good as it describes the scope of the article.
The section on flexibility (2.1) is quiet limited, e.g. industrial flexibility is not explicitly mentioned. The section does not give a good overview of the most relevant kinds of flexibility and the grid and market incentives for a flexible operation (of wind farms, in this case).
In the section on stability (2.2) it is not clear why a division is made between primary and secondary response (2.2.1) on the one hand and tertiary response and reserve services (2.2.2) on the other. Also the first category (including FCR and aFRR in EU) represents reserves. The sequence of the different responses and reserves and the relations with forecasting and energy markets (e.g. day-ahead, intra-day) and imbalance settlement are not well explained.
In 2.2.1 (explanation of Fig. 1) a "fault" is mentioned, but it is not explained what is meant by this. (The "fault" is, e.g., the loss of a production unit in this case.)
In Section 3 (Policy), Table 4 is hardly explained. E.g. in the "Hydrogen Evolution" scenario, the statement "High levels of dispatchable hydrogen plants which reduces the need for renewables and nuclear" is not explained. The production of hydrogen by means of renewable or nuclear power seems not to be considered.
In section 4, the wind turbine control options are insufficently described. The generator types considered are even not mentioned (except in one sentence in 5.1).
The phrase "necessitating adjustment of the blade pitch to achieve a target mechanical power" (line 280), that power control is only possible when (also) pitching is applied, while (in a certain operating region) the power can be controlled by torque/speed control of the generator only. There are no figures showing the topologies of the complete wind turbine system including the power-electronic converters for implementing the control strategies. The control strategies mentioned in Figure 3 are hardly described.
In section 5.3 the "event" considered in is not explicitely mentioned. What is the power imbalance (ΔP in equatiion 3) exactly? (From an elecgtrical point of view, the power injected in the grid equals the electrical power consumption.)
In sections 6 and 7, some aspects such as the possible negative impact of a control actions on mechanical loading and fatigue are shortly mentioned. However, higher maintenance costs and life time reduction due to control actions for a flexible operation are issues wind farm operators are already considering today.
Technical comments
The manuscript contains some incomplete and unclear sentences:
The quality of some figures should be improved, e.g. Figure 1.