Improved vector control methods for brushless double fed induction generator during inductive load and fault conditions

A Brushless Double-Fed Induction Generator (BDFIG) has shown tremendous success in wind turbines due to its robust brushless design, less maintenance, smooth operation, and variable speed characteristics. These generators are composed of two back-to-back voltage source converters, a Grid Side Converter (GSC) and a Rotor Side Converter (RSC). Existing control techniques use a “trial and error” method that results in a poor dynamic response in machine parameters during the absence of load. The RSC control is used for reactive current control during the inductive load insertion. However, it is more suitable for stabilizing steady-state behaviour, but it suffers from slow response and introduces a double fundamental frequency component to the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) voltage. In addition, generally, a Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) fault is detected using a hysteresis comparison of the power winding voltage. The LVRT capability is provided by using fixed reference values to control the winding current. This approach results in an erroneous response, sub-optimal control of voltage drops at PCC, and false alarms during transient conditions. This thesis aims to solve the mentioned issues by using an improved vector control method. Internal Model Control (IMC) based Proportional-Integral (PI) gains calculation is used for GSC and RSC. These are controlled to enhance the transient response and power quality during no-load, inductive load, and fault conditions. Firstly, a GSC-based vector control method is proposed to suppress the PCC voltage fluctuations when a large inductive load is suddenly connected. The proposed technique is based on an analytical model of the transient behaviour of the voltage drop at the PCC. To block a double fundamental frequency component as a result of reactive current compensation, a notch filter is designed. Secondly, an RSC-based vector control method is proposed using an analytical model of the voltage drop caused by a short circuit. Moreover, using a fuzzy logic controller, the proposed technique employs the voltage frequency in addition to the power winding voltage magnitude to detect LVRT conditions. The analytical model helps in reducing the power winding voltage drop while the fuzzy logic controller leads to better response and faster detection of faults. However, the reference value for reactive current compensation is analysed using an analytical model of the voltage drop at the PCC in the event of a short-circuit fault. The results obtained from MATLAB/Simulink show that the GSC-based vector control method technique can effectively reduce about 10% voltage drop at PCCs. Total Harmonics Distortion (THD) is improved to 22.3% by notch filter in comparison with an existing technique such as instantaneous reactive power theory. The RSC-based vector control method can achieve up to 11% voltage drop reduction and improve the THD by 12% compared to recent synchronous control and flux tracking methods

Wind power applications of doubly-fed reluctance generators with parameter-free hysteresis control

The development and practical implementation aspects of a novel scheme for fast power control of the doubly-fed reluctance generator with a low-cost partially-rated converter, a promising brushless candidate for limited speed ranges of wind turbines, are presented in this paper. The proposed concept is derived from the fundamental dynamic analogies between the controllable and measurable properties of the machine: electro-magnetic torque and electrical power, and flux and reactive power. The algorithm is applied in a stationary reference frame without any knowledge of the machine parameters, including rotor angular position or velocity. It is then structurally simpler, easier to realize in real-time and more tolerant of the system operating uncertainties than model-based or proportional-integral control alternatives. Experimental results have demonstrated the excellent controller response for a variety of speed, load and/or power factor states of a custom-built generator prototype

Techniques for Ensuring Fault Ride-Through Capability of Grid Connected DFIG-Based Wind Turbine Systems: A Review

Renewable energy sources (RES) are being integrated to electrical grid to complement the conventional sources to meet up with global electrical energy demand. Among other RES, Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) with Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) have gained global electricity market competitiveness because of the flexible regulation of active and reactive power, higher power quality, variable speed operation, four quadrant converter operation and better dynamic performance. Grid connected DFIG-based WECS are prone to disturbances in the network because of direct connection of stator windings to grid. The ability of the Wind Turbine (WT) to remain connected during grid faults is termed the Fault Ride-Through (FRT) capability. The grid code requirement for integrating the DFIG-based WTs to power networks specified that they must remain connected and support the grid stability during grid disturbances of up to 1500 ms. The use of compensation devices offers the best FRT compliance thereby protecting the DFIG and the converters from voltage fluctuations and over currents during the grid fault. The paper presents a review of techniques employed in ensuring FRT compliance. The article also proposes the state-of-the-art techniques for compensating voltage sag/swell and limiting the fault short-circuit current. Keywords: Renewable energy sources, DFIG, wind turbine system, fault ride-through, grid codes, dual-functional DV

Emerging Multiport Electrical Machines and Systems: Past Developments, Current Challenges, and Future Prospects

Distinct from the conventional machines with only one electrical and one mechanical port, electrical machines featuring multiple electrical/mechanical ports (the so-called multiport electrical machines) provide a compact, flexible, and highly efficient manner to convert and/or transfer energies among different ports. This paper attempts to make a comprehensive overview of the existing multiport topologies, from fundamental characteristics to advanced modeling, analysis, and control, with particular emphasis on the extensively investigated brushless doubly fed machines for highly reliable wind turbines and power split devices for hybrid electric vehicles. A qualitative review approach is mainly adopted, but strong efforts are also made to quantitatively highlight the electromagnetic and control performance. Research challenges are identified, and future trends are discussed

Dynamic Analysis of Rotor Speed and Electrical Torque of Brushless Doubly Fed Induction Generator (BDFIG) Under Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical Faults

The brushless doubly fed induction generator (BDFIG) has the potential to be employed as a variable speed wind turbine generator. Owing to brushless configuration of this generator, its reliability is higher than DFIG. Most of the grid faults are unsymmetrical. Hence, this paper analyzes dynamic behavior of BDFIG under symmetrical and unsymmetrical faults and presents dynamic models for both fault types. In order to validate the results of analysis, simulations have been carried out using MATLAB/Simulink software. Then, the control winding (CW) current is compared under symmetrical and unsymmetrical faults

Symmetrical Short-Circuit Parameters Comparison of DFIG–WT

Renewable energy with new resources is depleting the fossil fuel-based energy resources. Renewable energy sources (such as wind energy) based power generators are important energy conversion machines and have widely industrial and commercial applications due to their superior performance, and the fact that they endure faults well and are environmentally friendly. The study of the transient behavior of such generators under fault condition has drawn much attention. This study presents Doubly-Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) perturbation during a symmetrical (three-phase) short circuit (SSC) at different points. Simulation results reveal that after a fault occurs, there is decay of SC parameters (transient time, maximum current, steady-state and voltage dip) at the point of common coupling (PCC) and the grid-side converter (GSC) of DFIG. Simulation results depict a more sensitive and robust point during a SSC of DFIG. Current findings present the main difference between the PCC and the GSC during SSC faults. These comparisons provide a more precise understanding of fault diagnosis reliability with reduced complexity, stability, and optimization of the system. This study verified by the simulation results helps us understand and improve the performance of sensor sensibility (measurements), develop control schemes, protection strategy and select a more accurate and proficient system among other wind energy conversion systems (WECS)

Sveobuhvatan pregled LVRT mogućnosti i kliznog režima upravljanja vjetroagregata spojenog na mrežu s dvostruko napajanim asinkronim generatorom

In this paper, a comprehensive review of several strategies applied to improve the Low Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT) capability is presented for grid-connected wind-turbine-driven Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG). Usually, the most proposed LVRT solutions in the literature based on: hardware solutions, which increase the system costs and software solutions, which increase the control system complexity. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to take into account grid requirements over LVRT performance under grid fault conditions using software solution based on Higher Order-Sliding Mode Control (HOSMC). Effectively, this control strategy is proposed to overcome the chattering problem and the injected stator current harmonics into the grid of the classical First Order Sliding Mode (FOSMC). Furthermore, the resultant HOSMC methodology is relatively simple; where, the online computational cost and time are considerably reduced. The LVRT capacity and effectiveness of the proposed control method, compared to the conventional FOSMC, are validated by time-domain simulation studies under Matlab on a 1.5 MW wind-turbine-driven DFIG.U ovom radu, prikazan je sveobuhvatan pregled strategija primjenjenih za poboljšanje sposobnosti rada tijekom prolaznih smetnji niskog napona mreže za vjetroagregat s dvostruko napajanim asinkronim generatorom (DFIG). Uobičajeno, većina predloženih LVRT rješenja u literaturi temelji se na: hardverskim rješenjima, što povećava troškove sustava i softverskih rješenja te složenost sustava upravljanja. Stoga je glavni cilj ovog istraživanja da se uključuje i zahtjevi mreže kroz ponašanje LVRTa u uvjetima mrežnih kvarova korištenjem softverskog rješenja zasnovanoga na kliznom režimu rada višeg reda (HOSMC). Efektivno, ova upravljačka strategija je predložena kako bi se prevladali oscilacije i ubacivanje harmonika struje statora u mrežu klasičnim metodama kliznog režima rada prvog reda (FOSMC). Nadalje, rezultantna metodologija HOSMC je relativno jednostavna; gdje su online računski zahtjevi i potrebno vrijeme značajno smanjeni. LVRT kapacitet i učinkovitost predložene metode upravljanja, u usporedbi s konvencionalnim FOSMC potvrđene su simulacijama u vremenskoj domeni u Matlabu na 1.5 MW vjetroagregatu s DFIG-om

Active and Reactive Power Control of a Dual Stator Induction Machine (DSIM) using PI Controllers

In this paper, we present the active and reactive power control of a Dual Stator Induction Generator (DSIG).  Contrary to the Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG), which is controlled by its rotor and which delivers power from its stator, in the DSIG, one of the two stator windings plays the role of control winding and the other plays that of the power winding. The aim of this article is to establish, using some simplifying assumptions, the relationships between the active and the reactive powers delivered from the power winding and the voltages applied at its control winding terminals. Based on these relationships, a functional diagram is built and the active and reactive power regulators are synthesized. A model of the controlled DSIG is implemented under MATLAB-Simulink environment and the simulation results showed the feasibility and the performances of the developed control laws

Doubly-Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) in Connected or Weak Grids for Turbine-Based Wind Energy Conversion System

In the last thirty years the quantity of wind electricity generation has grown significantly due to its high-power density. Advances in wind energy technology have significantly decreased the cost of producing electricity from this renewable source. Nowadays, the generation of energy from wind sources plays a crucial role to increasing the green energy. In this context, wind energy conversion systems (WEC) must guarantee, in connected or weak grid operation, good stability in balanced or unbalanced conditions, high efficiency, high reliability and maximum power tracking in order to achieve the best performance when operating conditions vary