Fault Ride-through Capability of Grid Integrated Solar Power Plants

Decreasing costs and increasing efficiency of solar panels has led to the emergence of multi-MW Solar Power Plants (SPP). Grid codes now require an SPP to remain connected and provide reactive power support to the grid during a fault. This thesis implements the control system of a 9 MW SPP that provides Fault-Ride-Through (FRT) capability. The control system met the FRT requirements, i.e., rules set by FRT characteristic curve, injects a minimum 2% reactive current for every 1% change in the voltage at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) and limits the current overshoot of the VSC switches to less than 20%. During a fault, the active power of the SPP is decreased and allows reactive power to be injected into the grid. Simulations verify that the SPP control system met the FRT requirements when providing FRT for symmetrical and asymmetrical faults.M.A.S