Feasibility Study of Wind Farm Grid-Connected Project in Algeria under Grid Fault Conditions Using D-Facts Devices

Abstract

The use of renewable energy such as wind power is one of the most affordable solutions to meet the basic demand for electricity because it is the cleanest and most efficient resource. In Algeria, the highland region has considerable wind potential. However, the electrical power system located is this region is generally not powerful enough to solve the problems of voltage instability during grid fault conditions. These problems can make the connection with the eventual installation of a wind farm very difficult and inefficient. Therefore, a wind farm project in this region may require dynamic compensation devices, such as a distributed-flexible AC transmission system (D-FACTS) to improve its fault ride through (FRT) capability. This paper investigates the implementation of shunt D-FACTS, under grid fault conditions, considering the grid requirements over FRT performance and the voltage stability issue for a wind farm connected to the distribution network in the Algerian highland region. Two types of D-FACTSs considered in this paper are the distribution static VAr compensator (D-SVC) and the distribution static synchronous compensator (D-STATCOM). Some simulation results show a comparative study between the D-SVC and D-STATCOM devices connected at the point of common coupling (PCC) to support a wind farm based on a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) under grid fault conditions. Finally, an appropriate solution to this problem is presented by sizing and giving the suitable choice of D-FACTS, while offering a feasibility study of this wind farm project by economic analysis.