A direct drive grid connected wind energy system with STATCOM and super-capacitor energy storage

In this paper, a grid connected permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) based direct drive variable speed wind turbine with a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) is investigated to achieve uninterrupted operation of wind farms during grid disturbances. The wind energy system will be able to maintain uninterrupted operation during grid faults or disturbances. The control strategies for the wind energy conversion system and STATCOM with super-capacitor are implemented in Matlab/Simpower. The proposed control strategy for super capacitor based STATCOM effectively reduces the level of voltage sag, enhance the low voltage/fault ride through capability of the wind farm and mitigate the power quality issue at the point of common coupling (PCC). Results show that the STATCOM with super-capacitor energy storage can enhance the dynamic performance of the direct drive wind energy system. © 2012 IEEE.