Real-Time Implementation of a STATCOM on a Wind Farm Equipped With Doubly Fed Induction Generators

Authors

Wei Qiao, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Ganesh Kumar Venayagamoorthy, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Ronald G. Harley, Georgia Institute of Technology

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2009

Comments

Published in IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, VOL. 45, NO. 1. 0093-9994 © 2009 IEEE. Used by permission.

Abstract

Voltage stability is a key issue to achieve the uninterrupted operation of wind farms equipped with doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) during grid faults. This paper investigates the application of a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) to assist with the uninterrupted operation of a wind turbine driving a DFIG, which is connected to a power network, during grid faults. The control schemes of the DFIG rotor- and grid-side converters and the STATCOM are suitably designed and coordinated. The system is implemented in real-time on a Real Time Digital Simulator. Results show that the STATCOM improves the transient voltage stability and therefore helps the wind turbine generator system to remain in service during grid faults.