Reduction of wind harvesting network power losses by the connection of shunt elements

Abstract

Constant power factor is currently the most commonly control mode used for wind farms regarding voltage control. Although wind farms used to be connected to the distribution grid, dedicated harvesting networks with no demand are gaining importance is countries like Spain or Ireland. This paper focuses on the minimization of power losses in these harvesting networks when wind farms are operated at constant power factor. This objective is achieved through the connection of shunt elements (reactance or capacitor). An OPF is used to set the best location and size of the shunt elements. Several scenarios of wind generation are analyzed to cover all the possible operation points. The proposed scheme is tested in a real harvesting network.