Dynamic compensators for grid connected wind farms

The main aim of this paper is to explore the various dynamic controllers for regulating the reactive power requirements of grid connected wind farms. A wind farm of total capacity 7.5 MW is considered for the study. The turbines are of fixed-speed type that are equipped with squirrel-cage induction generators. The emerging devices suggested for the control of the reactive power requirement of wind generators such as Static Var Compensators (SVC), Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOM) and Unified Power Flow Controllers (UPFC) are modelled and analysed to study their effect on the voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC) and rotor speed of the induction generators. The gains of these controllers are tuned using a simple Genetic Algorithm (GA). The study has demonstrated appreciable improvement in the voltage ride-through capability. This has increased the penetration level of wind power into existing distribution networks in many countries.