STATCOM solutions for Wind Farms

Meeting the grid code

ABB 2 - STATOOM so|ut|on for W|nd Farms
Meeting the grid code thanks to the STATCOM
As the amount of installed wind power around the globe increases, Transmission System
Operators (TSO) have been forced to tighten their grid connection rules also known as grid
codes in order to limit the effects of wind power parks on network quality and stability. The
grid codes demand that power plants of any kind support the electricity network throughout
their operation.
Some commonly used turbine designs have limitations in terms of achieving grid code compliance
in several countries. For wind parks built with such turbines, additional equipment like a STATCOM
is needed.

Key grid code requirements PCS 6000 STATCOM
Fault ride through
Voltage control
Fast dynamic response
Reactive power capability
Reactive power over voltage range
Wind farm + STATCOM = Grid code compliance
Grid
ABB STATOOM so|ut|on for W|nd Farms - 3
PCS 6000 STATCOM
Functionality
The STATCOM is a voltage source with variable amplitude. If the amplitude is set to a higher
value than the grid voltage (in p.u.), the STATCOM injects reactive power into the grid; the
STATCOM runs in over-excited mode. Comparably, if the STATCOM amplitude is lower than
the grid voltage (in p.u.), it absorbs reactive power; the STATCOM runs in under-excited
mode.

Modular design
The converter is based on modular medium voltage IGCTs.

PCS 6000 STATCOM platforms
indoor
Single 6 16 Mvar/Unit Double 12 32 Mvar/Unit
outdoor
ABB 4 - STATOOM so|ut|on for W|nd Farms
Benefts of PCS 6000 STATCOM
Different technologies are being offered on the market.

Platforms
PCS 6000 STATCOM LV air cooled hybrid solution
Technology
Foot print
Due to the advanced MV design and the
water cooling the power density is much
higher leading to a signifcantly smaller
foot print.
Cost savings on land
Cost savings on civil work
LV and air cooled solutions require
signifcantly more space for the STATCOM
itself. In addition cap banks, reactors plus
a switchgear room is needed.
This leads to extra overall costs for space
and civil work which are only visible if the
full system costs are compared.
Maintenance
The design is optimized for low
maintenance. No mechanical breakers are
used, no oil flled reactors and no
capacitor banks.
This results in low life cycle costs
Mechanical breakers, oil flled reactors and
capacitor banks need maintenance. In
additional air cooling requires periodic
replacement of the air flters.
Global service
network
ABB is present in over 100 countries offering
an outstanding service to plants all around
the world.
Most suppliers of LV solutions are smaller
companies without a global service network.
Independence
ABB does not design wind turbines and
therefore does not get into competition with
the wind turbine manufacturers
Some LV solution suppliers have started to
design their own wind turbines.
Reactive power at
reduced voltage
Reactive power is needed during low
voltages to support the grid. Thanks to the
pure converter solution the PCS 6000
provides reactive current at low voltage.
Capacitor output MVAr reduce with the
square of the voltage. Therefore a hybrid
solution loses output power at low voltage.
This is when it would be needed.
ABB STATOOM so|ut|on for W|nd Farms - 5
Cooling Closed loop water cooling system
Closed system = no dirt inside
Water cooling = no periodic
replacement of air flters
Allows very compact solution
Redundant pumps
Open loop air cooling system
Air has to be blown in which causes
dirt within converter
Air flters have to be replaced frequently
to allow proper cooling
High acoustic noise
Hardware simulator
Besides models for software tools like PSS/E
or PSCAD, ABB developed a hardware
STATCOM simulator using the real control
hardware and software to test the behaviour
of the system.
ABB is interested to provide sustainable
solutions with low life cycle costs.
The PCS 6000 STATCOM is specially
designed to achieve this.
PCS 6000 STATCOM LV air cooled hybrid solution
Simpler Switchgear
Only one circuit breaker is required.
Because the STATCOM turns off before
opening the breaker (no load), a standard
feeder can be used in typical installations.
Cost savings on switchgear
Multiple breakers are required for a hybrid
solution (STATCOM + capacitor / reactor
banks). In addition to that, more expensive
Capacitive Feeder type breakers are
required to be used for capacitor banks.
Reaction time &
switching
At maximum capacitive operation point, all
capacitor banks are connected to the bus. In
order to follow the step to maximum inductive
point, the hybrid STATCOM can only compensate
to the overload rating of its dynamic part, but
not down to the required operating point. Only
after switching of the capacitor banks, the
maximum inductive value is reached.
Cabling
Due to higher voltages the currents are
lower which leads to simple cabling.
Low voltages cause high currents which
need a signifcant amount of cabling.
Life cycle costs
Failure mode Used semiconductor: press-pack IGCT
The IGCT is an inherently robust single-chip
element with lowest possible switching and
conduction losses. It is a further development
of the thyristor.
Failure mode: short circuit, no destruction
of the semiconductor case, no arcing, no
pollution of the converter
Used semiconductor: IGBT module
The IGBT module is composed of numerous
silicon chips internally connected with bond
wires. Compared to an IGCT with similar
rating, the IGBT has considerably higher
conduction losses.
Failure mode: explosion, arcing, module
rupture, considerable pollution of the
converter
ABB 6 - STATOOM so|ut|on for W|nd Farms
Case studies
Wind farm in Ireland
Solution
1 x 13 MVAr PCS 6000 STATCOM
Connection at 21 kV, control at 110 kV
Compact outdoor container solution
Shorter commissioning time due to
pre-fabrication and testing in factory
Control, status and diagnostics integrated
into wind farm SCADA system
Wind farm in England
Solution
1 x 24 MVAr PCS 6000 STATCOM
Connection & control at 33 kV
Integrated into wind farm substation
Touch panel for on-site diagnostics
Control and status integrated into wind
farm SCADA system
21 kv
Gr|d
W|nd farm STATOOM
33 kv
Gr|d
W|nd farm STATOOM
ABB STATOOM so|ut|on for W|nd Farms - 7
Wind farm in Scotland
Solution
2 x 12.5 MVAr PCS 6000 STATCOM
Connection & control at 33 kV
1 unit per independent wind farm string
Integrated into wind farm substation
Control, status and diagnostics integrated
into wind farm SCADA system
Further installations
Malaysia
1x 13 MVAr PCS 6000 STATCOM
Connection & control at 11kV

Indonesia
1x 10 MVAr PCS 6000 STATCOM
Connection & control at 20kV
Canada
3x 12 MVAr STATCOMs with 280% overload
capability
Connection & control at 138kV
33 kv
Gr|d
W|nd farm STATOOM W|nd farm STATOOM
ABB 8 - STATOOM so|ut|on for W|nd Farms
ABB Switzerland Ltd
Advanced Power E|ectron|cs
OH-5300 Turg| / Sw|tzer|and
Te| +41 0}58 589 32 35
Fax +41 0}58 589 20 90
Ema|| [email protected]
www.abb.com/powere|ectron|cs 3

B
H
T

4
9
0

5
8
7

R
0
0
0
1

O
o
p
y
r
|
g
h
t

2
0
0
8

A
B
B
.

A
|
|

r
|
g
h
t
s

r
e
s
e
r
v
e
d
.
S
p
e
c
|
f
c
a
t
|
o
n
s

s
u
b
j
e
c
t

t
o

c
h
a
n
g
e

w
|
t
h
o
u
t

n
o
t
|
c
e