Reactive compensation systems for large wind farms

The generator interconnect requirements or grid codes of many countries include specific requirements for reactive compensation equipment for large wind farms. In general, these requirements include delivery of reactive power over a specified power factor range as measured at the point of interconnection of the wind farm. This paper provides a background to the need for the required reactive compensation, an overview of reactive power requirements for large wind farm interconnections in North America, an overview of the reactive power capabilities of various types of wind turbine generators, the composition of typical reactive compensation equipment, and a case study on a typical compensation system for a large wind farm.