Title: Reactive capability limits of wind farms

Authors: Alberto Rios Villacorta, Santiago Arnaltes Gomez, Jose Luis Rodriguez-Amenedo

Addresses: Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department, School of Engineering, European University of Madrid, C/ Tajo s/n, Urb. El Bosque, Campus Universitario, Villaviciosa de Odon, 28670 Madrid, Spain. ' Electrical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Carlos III University of Madrid, Avda. Universidad 30, 28911 Leganes, Madrid, Spain. ' Electrical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Carlos III University of Madrid, Avda. Universidad 30, 28911 Leganes, Madrid, Spain

Abstract: Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) technology can be classified into two main types: fixed speed and variable speed. Fixed speed WECS use an induction generator connected directly to the grid while variable speed WECS use a power converter to connect the generator to the grid. Fixed speed WECS require shunt capacitors for reactive power compensation, while variable speed WECS have reactive power capability. Under the Spanish grid code, wind farms have to operate in a range of power factor values. This paper determines the reactive power capability of wind farms equipped with both fixed and variable speed WECS. The reactive power capability can be represented as a reactive capability curve. In this paper, the reactive capability curve is used to calculate the additional reactive power compensation needed to meet the requirements of the Spanish grid code.

Keywords: reactive power compensation; grid integration; wind energy conversion systems; WECS; reactive capability limits; reactive compensation; wind farms; wind power; Spain; Spanish grid code.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2005.007261

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2005 Vol.3 No.3, pp.213 - 222

Published online: 29 Jun 2005 *

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