Wind farms with increased transient stability margin provided by a STATCOM

This paper analyzes the extent to which the transient stability margin of wind farms using squirrel cage generators can be increased by the use of a STATCOM. A simplified analytical approach is used first to quantify the effect of the STATCOM on the transient stability margin. An experimental validation of the calculated transient margin is then presented by measurements done in a laboratory prototype of 7.5 kW emulating a wind turbine or wind farms. Measurement results confirm that the STATCOM provides a clear transient stability margin increase and with adequate rating it becomes possible to ride through severe faults