Power quality for grid connected Renewables

When a high penetration of variable renewable energy (VRE – like wind farms and PV power plants) is in place power grid operation faces stability and security challenges. A wind farm connected by a long line to a weak grid results in low short circuit ratio and low system intertia, generating transient voltage fluctuations and poor steady state voltage profile at the point of connection (PoC).

An STATCOM provides a powerful source of dynamic VARs for a wide range of operational needs. They can correct voltage instability problems  providing dynamic steady-state voltage and power factor control to support a stable PoC for large-scale wind farms and other distributed generation facilities.