Extended Reactive Capability of DFIG Wind Parks for Enhanced System Performance

This paper discusses the impact of utilizing the capability curve of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) based wind park on steady state and dynamic power system operation. The interconnection requirements set forth by FERC in order 661-A mandate the operation of wind parks within a power factor range of 0.95 leading and lagging. This operation drastically underutilized the reactive output of the machine. The results presented demonstrate that committing the full reactive capability of a DFIG park for generation dispatch produce a significant reduction in system losses. This additional reactive support was also found to improve post-fault voltage profiles by damping oscillations and preventing overshoots immediately after being subjected to a disturbance. This utilization of extended reactive limits in voltage control may prevent system collapse.