Reactive power dispatch in wind farms using particle swarm optimization technique and feasible solutions search

In this paper, an optimization method for the reactive power dispatch in wind farms (WF) is presented. Particle swarm optimization (PSO), combined with a feasible solution search (FSSPSO) is applied in order to optimize the reactive power dispatch, taking into consideration the reactive power requirement at point of common coupling (PCC), while active power losses are minimized in a WF. The reactive power requirement at PCC is included as a restriction problem and is dealt with feasible solution search. Finally an individual set point, particular for each wind turbine (WT), is found. The algorithm is tested in a WF with 12 WTs, taking into consideration different control options and different active power output levels.

► The problem of reactive power dispatch between the single WT of a WF is formulated as an optimization problem subject to specific restrictions.
► Active power losses are minimized as objective function.
► Reactive power requirement is treated as restriction and then the necessary reactive power support to the voltage control is guaranteed.
► The proposed algorithm was tested for six different options of reactive power control in WF and for different active power generation scenarios.