Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM

Nordic PhD course on Wind Power

(June 5-11, 2005)
Final Examination Report

Ph.D. Candidate:

Akarin Suwannarat

Supervisors:

Birgitte Bak-Jensen

Institute of Energy Technology, Aalborg University

Pontoppidantstraede 101, 9220 Aalborg East, Denmark
 Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM

Contents

1. Problem statement………………………………..…………………………. 1

2. Project solutions ………………………………….…………………………. 2

3. Wind farm model……….……………………………………………………. 3

4. STATCOM model…………………………………………………….……… 5

5. Model simulation…………………………….………………………………. 7

6. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………. 10

References………………………………………………………………………. 10

Akarin Suwannarat, PhD Candidate, Aalborg University i

 Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM

1. Problem Statement
Topics involved: Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM.
Contact person: Marta Molinas (marta.molinas@elkraft.ntnu.no).

Simulation model of a wind farm based on induction generators connected through a weak
grid and compensated with a STATCOM

Develop a simulation model (using Matlab, EMTDC or similar) for a 100 MW wind farm using
squirrel cage induction generators magnetized with fixed capacitor banks, and connected to the
grid through a weak grid (low short circuit current: strong grid usually gives a short circuit ratio
>20, use this assumption).

1. Model the STATCOM as a voltage source converter.

2. Use decoupled control of active and reactive power for controlling the STATCOM.
3. Simulate a short circuit and compare the transient response of the system with and without the
STATCOM. See how much the transient stability margin is improved with the STATCOM and see
what other beneficial effects the STATCOM has on the system stability.
4. Give a generalized expression for the rating of the STATCOM as a function of the system
characteristics and contingency level, such as short circuit ratio and voltage sag.

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 Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM

2. Project Solutions
In this project work, the power system simulation program, Power Factory (DIgSILENT), is used
as a tool for models development and power system simulation.

This project work is done by the following procedures:

1) Wind farm model

An aggregated 100 MW squirrel cage induction generator (SCIG) wind farm model is
implemented.
2) STATCOM model
The STATCOM model is developed as a voltage source converter including the
decoupled control of active and reactive power for controlling the STATCOM.
3) Transient stability simulation (Short circuit simulation)
A short circuit is simulated and the transient response of the system with and without the
STATCOM is simulated.
4) Transient stability analysis
The transient stability margin with the STATCOM is analyzed and other beneficial effect
the STATCOM on the system stability is discussed.

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 Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM

3. Wind Farm Model

A simulation model for a 100 MW wind farm using squirrel cage induction generator magnetised
with fixed capacitor bank is modelled by the power system simulation program, Power Factory
(DIgSILENT).

Figure 1. The 100 MW SCIG Wind Farm system, developed in Power Factory (DIgSILENT).

As far as steady-state and transient studies are concerned, a wind farm is similar to a
conventional thermal power plant composed of several identical generating units. To assess its
behaviour it is normal practice to use aggregated models in which the units are replaced by a
single equivalent unit. The same methodology was applied to the case of the wind parks, thus
allowing the development of an aggregated wind park model.

The aggregated model is actually a dynamic equivalent in the classic sense: the concept of
equivalent wind unit comes as a result of the aggregation of the characteristics of the individual
wind units in a single unit with equivalent characteristics [1], [2]. The aggregated model should be
one entity in power system dynamic simulations, similar to other entities, such as generators,
controllers, loads and lines. A constant speed wind turbine has a unique algebraic relation
between wind speed, mechanical power and electrical output power. This mechanical power can
be summed and then be applied to a squirrel cage induction generator with a rating of the
individual machines that are aggregated. Therefore, the characteristic response of a squirrel cage
induction generator to disturbances can be kept. The 100 MW wind farm with SCIG, developed in
Power Factory, is depicted in Figure 1.

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 Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM

The structure of an aggregated wind farm model with squirrel cage induction generator is
depicted in figure 2. The mechanical power of turbines are aggregated and applied to one
equivalent induction generator with a rating power equal to a whole wind farm. It has to be
emphasized that the overview given in the figure 2 is only valid for the aggregation approach
used in this report.

Overall wind Individual Aggregated

speed mechanical power mechanical power
P, Q
Wind speed Rotor Power Generator Grid
Model Model Aggregation Model Model
V, f

Wind Turbine Generator

parameter characteristics characteristics

Figure 2. Structure of an aggregated wind farm model with constant speed wind turbine (SCIG).

In this paper, it is assumed that the wind farm can be represented with one single constant wind
turbine. The characteristics of this wind turbine can be calculated by the following equations:

Seq = ∑ ⁿ Si ; i=1
Ceq = ∑ ⁿ Ci ; i=1
Pm,eq = ∑ ⁿ Pm,i ; i=1

where n is the total number of wind turbines composing the wind farm, the superscript eq refers to
the single equivalent wind turbine and the meaning of the variables is as follows:
S - Nominal power (MVA);
C - Capacitance of the reactive power compensation system;
Pm - Mechanical power.

An aggregated 100 MW wind farm with squirrel cage induction generator (SCIG) model
development is explained in this section. The wind farm model is connected to the grid through a
week grid (short circuit ratio < 20). The short circuit ratio (SCR) of the interconnection is given by:
SCR = SCC/Sbase
Where SCC is the short circuit power delivered from the grid for a three-phase fault [3]. Figure 1
show the network under investigation where the wind farm is connected at 60 kV to a system with
short circuit ration of 14.

The impedances of cables within the park are neglected and only the transformer is taken into
account, because the impedance of the relative short cables with in the wind-farm will be small
when compares to the impedance of the grid connection [4].

Akarin Suwannarat, PhD Candidate, Aalborg University 4

 Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM

4. STATCOM Model
The STATCOM model as a voltage source converter, including the decoupled control of active
and reactive power for controlling the STATCOM is developed.

4.1 System configuration and modelling

A STATCOM applied to the power system is depicted in Figure 3. Its components are the shunt
inverter, the transformer and the connection filter. The shunt inverter is modelled as a voltage
control source. The basic electronic block of a STATCOM is a voltage source converter (VSC),
with rapidly controllable amplitude and phase angle. In addition to this, the controller has a
coupling transformer and a dc capacitor. The control system can design to maintain the
magnitude of the bus voltage constant by controlling the magnitude and/or phase shift of the VSC
output voltage [5]. In this paper, STATCOM control system is modelled by DIgSILENT Simulation
Language (DSL). The control system proposed for the STATCOM is depicted in figure 3.

The instantaneous three phase variables of the STATCOM can be described in state-space form
by dq components using Park’s transformation. The active and reactive powers injected into the
electricity system by the STATCOM are:

P = vdid+vqiq = vdid
Q = -vdiq+vqiq = -vdiq

Therefore, p and q are proportional to id and iq, respectively and the control of the power injected
into the power system reduce to the control of id and iq [6]. The detailed study can be found in [6].

Figure 3. Structure of a STATCOM model as a voltage source converter, including the decoupled
control of active and reactive power.

Akarin Suwannarat, PhD Candidate, Aalborg University 5

 Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM

4.2 Control system

The control system proposed for the STATCOM is depicted in figure 4. The desired reactive
power exchange is achieved by the iq controller. The capacitor voltage is kept constant to ensure
proper inverter control. The voltage control amplifies the voltage error and generates the
reference for the active power to be exchanged by the inverter so that the capacitor voltage
remains constant [6].

Figure 4. Structure of a STATCOM control model.

Akarin Suwannarat, PhD Candidate, Aalborg University 6

 Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM

5. Model Simulation
In this section, the 2-phase short circuit (110 ms) is introduced in the system and transient
stability is simulated. The transient response of the system with and without the STATCOM is
analyzed.

The rating of the STATCOM as a function of the system characteristics and contingency level,
such as short circuit ratio and voltage sag is expressed. The aggregated 100 MW Wind Farm with
SCIG, installed with the STATCOM, is depicted in figure 5.

Figure 5. The aggregated 100 MW Wind Farm with SCIG, installed with the STATCOM,
developed in Power Factory (DIgSILENT).

5.1 Transient stability with and without STATCOM

The 2-phase short circuit (110 ms) is introduced to the system. The response of the ac voltage
magnitude, mechanical torque and rotor speed of SCIG with and without the STATCOM are
provided in the figure 6, 7 and 8 respectively.

The fast controllable reactive power provided by the additional STATCOM improves the speed of
response of the voltage magnitude in the case of SCIG wind turbines.

Akarin Suwannarat, PhD Candidate, Aalborg University 7

 Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM

Figure 6. The transient responses of the system: RMS voltage at TT_terminal in p.u. (a) with the
STATCOM (read line) and (b) without the STATCOM (blue line).

Mechanical torque and rotor speed responses of the SCIG wind turbines are also benefited as
the rapid response to system disturbances of the STATCOM.

(a) (b)
Figure 7. The transient responses of the system: Mechanical torque in p.u. (a) with the
STATCOM and (b) without the STATCOM.

Figure 8. The transient responses of the system: Rotor speed of SCIG wind farm in p.u. (a) with
the STATCOM (above) and (b) without the STATCOM (below).

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 Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM

5.2 Voltage Sag and Short circuit ratio

Voltage sag has been defined as a reduction in the voltage magnitude from its nominal value for
a duration ranging from a few milliseconds to one minute. The STATCOM is expected to offer
limited capability for reducing the intensity of the sag as shown in figure 9.

The STATCOM is expected to offer limited capability for increased short circuit ratio. Fast control
of reactive power, provided by STATCOM is possible to maintain ac voltage within desired limits.
The increased short circuit ratio could not be found in this simulation by the additional STATCOM.

Figure 9. The transient responses of the system: Phase voltage in p.u. (a) with the STATCOM
(above) and (b) without the STATCOM (below).

Akarin Suwannarat, PhD Candidate, Aalborg University 9

 Wind Farms in Weak Grids Compensated with STATCOM

6. Conclusion
This paper has described a comprehensive study of the application of a STATCOM to a wind
farm. The detailed transient model for the fixed speed wind turbines technologies is developed.
An aggregated 100 MW wind farm with squirrel cage induction generator (SCIG) model is
generated. The STATCOM model as a voltage source converter, including the decoupled control
of active and reactive power for controlling the STATCOM is modelled.

A proposal for the control system of a PWM-based STATCOM connected to the power system is
investigated. The results of the simulations showed that the use of a STATCOM improves the
transient stability of the system. The STATCOM is expected to offer limited capability for
improving mechanical torque and rotor speed responses of the SCIG wind turbine and reducing
the intensity of the sag. The results show that as long as the fixed speed machine is
complemented with sufficient reactive power control, such as STATCOM, the transient
performance is improved.

References
[1] J.G. Slootweg, W.L. Kling; “Aggregated Modelling of Wind Parks in Power system Dynamic
Simulations”, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands

[2] Rui M.G. Castro, J.M. Ferreira de Jesus; “An Aggregated wind Park Model”, Technical
University of Lisbon, Portugal

[3] C. Abbey, B. Khodabakhchian, F. Zhou; “Transient modelling and comparison of wind

generator topologies”, International conference on power system transients (IPST’05), Canada

[4] J.G. Slootweg, W.L. Kling; “Modelling of Large Wind Farms in Power System Simulation”, Delft
University of Technology, the Netherlands

[5] N. Mithulananthan, Claudio A. Canizares; “Comparison of PSS, SVC, and STATCOM

controllers for damping power system oscillation”, IEEE Trans. Power Systems, October 2002

[6] P. Garcia-Gonzalez, A. Garcia C.; “Control system for a PWM-based STATCOM”,

Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Mardrid, Spain

[7] P.S. Sensarma, K.R. Padiyar; “Analysis and performance Evaluation of a Distribution
STATCOM for Compensating Voltage Fluctuations”, The Department of Electrical Engineering,
Indian Institute of Science, India

Akarin Suwannarat, PhD Candidate, Aalborg University 10