STATCOM Control for Wind Power Reactive Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind power plants face challenges in providing sufficient reactive power, especially at high active power levels, due to limitations in wind turbine generators, such as doubly-fed induction generators, which can lead to issues in meeting grid code requirements for voltage control.
Innovation Solution
A method and control arrangement that combines wind turbine reactive power control signals with active power reference signals to generate a weighted control signal for reactive power sources like STATCOMs, ensuring adequate reactive power support by adjusting the weighting factors based on active power production or wind speed, allowing for effective reactive power injection into the grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wind turbines operate at high active power levels, then active power production is improved, but reactive power capability deteriorates due to limitations in wind turbine generators
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated reactive power source (STATCOM or SVC) is introduced as an intermediary device to provide reactive power support independently from the wind turbine generators. This mediator enables the WPP to meet reactive power requirements at high active power levels without compromising the limited reactive power capability of the DFIGs.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactive power provision function is segmented from the wind turbine generators and assigned to a separate dedicated reactive power source. This segmentation allows independent optimization of active and reactive power capabilities, enabling the WPP to deliver high active power while maintaining sufficient reactive power capability through the dedicated device.
2Reliability
If additional reactive power sources are activated to ensure grid code requirements are met, then reactive power support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dedicated reactive power source is designed to perform multiple functions: providing reactive power support, enabling high active power production, and ensuring grid code compliance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors active power production and reactive power requirements, dynamically adjusting the reactive power source output and weighting factors to maintain optimal performance. This feedback mechanism ensures grid code compliance while adapting to varying operating conditions, reducing the need for overly complex static control systems.
3Power
If wind turbines are used for voltage control through reactive power, then voltage regulation is achieved, but reactive power sufficiency deteriorates at high active power levels
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated reactive power source acts as an intermediary to provide the necessary reactive power for voltage control when wind turbine generators are operating at high active power levels. This mediator ensures that voltage regulation requirements are met without being constrained by the limited reactive power capability of the DFIGs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the contribution of the dedicated reactive power source based on operating conditions. At high active power levels, the reactive power source provides increased support, while at lower levels, the wind turbines can handle more of the reactive power requirement, creating a dynamic and adaptive voltage control system.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a reactive power source in a wind power plant, the method comprising the steps of providing a wind turbine reactive power control signal and providing an active power reference signal, said active power reference signal being a measure of an active power production of the wind power plant. A control signal for the reactive power source is generated by combining the wind turbine reactive power control signal and the active power reference signal in such a way that the control signal for the reactive power source becomes a weighted signal of the wind turbine reactive power control signal. Moreover, the present invention relates to control units and wind power plants suitable for carrying out the present invention.