INTEGRATION OF WIND POWER PLANTS TO THE GRID AND REACTIVE POWER SUPPORT

Abstract

The conversion of wind energy into electrical energy is one of the most environmentally sustainable methods of energy today. According to statistics published by the World Wind Energy Association, the total capacity of wind turbines installed worldwide at the beginning of 2019 exceeded 598 GW. Looking at the situation in Turkey, the number of wind power plants under operation is 180 according to published statistics at January 2019 by the Turkish Wind Energy Association. The total installed capacity of these power plants is 7369.35 MW. By the increasing of wind power capacity, the connection criteria of the power plants which are taken over to the grid become more critical. Although there are systems that are clean, renewable, and reduce external dependence on energy, power quality problems can occur in the grid connections of all wind power plants. In this respect, the grid connection criteria of wind turbines of the countries are essential. The connection requirements of wind turbines in Turkey, on April 22, 2017, revised Turkish Grid Code are determined under Appendix-18. Wind power plants connect to the grid from a medium voltage or high voltage level. At the grid connection point, there are some conditions that the plant must be met like changing wind conditions, switching, fault, etc. These requirements can be summarized as reactive power support, frequency response, contribution to the post-fault system. In this study, the reactive power capacity of a 9x3.6 MW Wind Power Plant to the grid is simulated and investigated.