Measurement-Validated Power Quality Assessment and Static Synchronous Compensator–Based Mitigation of a Grid-Connected Wind Farm

Abstract

This paper presents a measurement-validated power quality assessment of a grid-connected wind farm in Jordan based on synchronized field measurements and validated simulation studies. The increasing penetration of large-scale wind farms into modern power systems introduces significant power quality challenges, particularly voltage instability, harmonic distortion, and compliance with low- and high-voltage ride-through (LVRT/HVRT) requirements under weak grid conditions. High-resolution voltage and current sensors installed at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) were used to monitor key power quality parameters, including active power variation, total harmonic distortion (THD), voltage flicker, frequency deviation, crest factor, and voltage unbalance. The measured steady-state results indicate that the PCC voltage was maintained at approximately 1.0 p.u., the system frequency remained stable at 50 Hz, THD values were within IEEE 519-2022 limits, and flicker indices (Pst and Plt) satisfied EN 50 160 requirements. Sensor data were further utilized to validate the simulation model developed using power system simulation software. Dynamic system behavior was investigated under LVRT and HVRT conditions, including severe (0 p.u.) and moderate (0.4 p.u.) voltage sags, as well as 1.15 p.u. and 1.20 p.u. voltage swell scenarios, emphasizing the role of real-time PCC measurements in enabling fast static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) response for voltage regulation and reactive power support. The results demonstrate compliance with international standards and highlight the effectiveness of real-time power quality sensing in improving voltage stability and grid code compliance. This study provides utility-scale experimental evidence from a real 100 MW wind farm and demonstrates the practical value of integrating synchronized PCC measurements with STATCOM-based reactive power control to enhance grid reliability and renewable energy integration.