In recent years technological advances in power electronics have facilitated the
development of electronic equipments that offer the ability to handle large amounts
of power; consequently, the use and application of this technology into electrical
power systems have increased significantly. These electronic devices, called
Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS), are based on electronic power
converters and they provide the ability to make quick adjustments and to control
the electrical system. FACTS devices can be connected in series, in parallel, or in a
combination of both. The benefits they offer to the electrical grid are widely
referenced in scientific literature. These benefits include improvement of the
stability of the grid, control of the flow of active and reactive power on the grid,
loss minimization, and increased grid efficiency.
The installation of FACTS devices (with serial or parallel connections) in a wind
farm substation or in the terminals of wind turbines is increasing rapidly owing
mainly to the specifications listed in the Transmission System Operators’ (TSO)
grid codes which require that wind turbines should provide ancillary services
similar to those of conventional synchronous generators.