Small Wind Turbine Emulator Based on Lambda-Cp Curves Obtained under Real Operating Conditions

[EN] This paper proposes a new on-site technique for the experimental characterization of small wind systems by emulating the behavior of a wind tunnel facility. Due to the high cost and complexity of these facilities, many manufacturers of small wind systems do not have a well knowledge of the characteristic lambda-Cp curve of their turbines. Therefore, power electronics converters connected to the wind generator are usually programmed with speed/power control curves that do not optimize the power generation. The characteristic lambda-Cp curves obtained through the proposed method will help manufacturers to obtain optimized speed/power control curves. In addition, a low cost small wind emulator has been designed. Programmed with the experimental lambda-Cp curve, it can validate, improve, and develop new control algorithms to maximize the energy generation. The emulator is completed with a new graphic user interface that monitors in real time both the value of the lambda-Cp coordinate and the operating point on the 3D working surface generated with the characteristic lambda-Cp curve obtained from the real small wind system. The proposed method has been applied to a small wind turbine commercial model. The experimental results demonstrate that the point of operation obtained with the emulator is always located on the 3D surface, at the same coordinates (rotor speed/wind speed/power) as the ones obtained experimentally, validating the designed emulator.Martínez-Márquez, CI.; Twizere-Bakunda, JD.; Lundbäck-Mompó, D.; Orts-Grau, S.; Gimeno Sales, FJ.; Segui-Chilet, S. (2019). Small Wind Turbine Emulator Based on Lambda-Cp Curves Obtained under Real Operating Conditions. Energies. 12(13):1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/en12132456S1171213Nichita, C., Luca, D., Dakyo, B., & Ceanga, E. (2002). Large band simulation of the wind speed for real time wind turbine simulators. IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 17(4), 523-529. doi:10.1109/tec.2002.805216Pillay, P., & Krishnan, R. (1988). Modeling of permanent magnet motor drives. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 35(4), 537-541. doi:10.1109/41.9176Tanvir, A., Merabet, A., & Beguenane, R. (2015). Real-Time Control of Active and Reactive Power for Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG)-Based Wind Energy Conversion System. Energies, 8(9), 10389-10408. doi:10.3390/en80910389Martinez, F., Herrero, L. C., & de Pablo, S. (2014). Open loop wind turbine emulator. Renewable Energy, 63, 212-221. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2013.09.019Castelló, J., Espí, J. M., & García-Gil, R. (2016). Development details and performance assessment of a Wind Turbine Emulator. Renewable Energy, 86, 848-857. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2015.09.010Kojabadi, H. M., Chang, L., & Boutot, T. (2004). Development of a Novel Wind Turbine Simulator for Wind Energy Conversion Systems Using an Inverter-Controlled Induction Motor. IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 19(3), 547-552. doi:10.1109/tec.2004.832070Choy, Y.-D., Han, B.-M., Lee, J.-Y., & Jang, G.-S. (2011). Real-Time Hardware Simulator for Grid-Tied PMSG Wind Power System. Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology, 6(3), 375-383. doi:10.5370/jeet.2011.6.3.375Wasynczuk, O., Man, D. T., & Sullivan, J. P. (1981). Dynamic Behavior of a Class of Wind Turbine Generators during Random Wind Fluctuations. IEEE Power Engineering Review, PER-1(6), 47-48. doi:10.1109/mper.1981.5511593Dai, J., Liu, D., Wen, L., & Long, X. (2016). Research on power coefficient of wind turbines based on SCADA data. Renewable Energy, 86, 206-215. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2015.08.02

Propulsion Electric Grid Simulator (PEGS) for Future Turboelectric Distributed Propulsion Aircraft

NASA Glenn Research Center, in collaboration with the aerospace industry and academia, has begun the development of technology for a future hybrid-wing body electric airplane with a turboelectric distributed propulsion (TeDP) system. It is essential to design a subscale system to emulate the TeDP power grid, which would enable rapid analysis and demonstration of the proof-of-concept of the TeDP electrical system. This paper describes how small electrical machines with their controllers can emulate all the components in a TeDP power train. The whole system model in Matlab/Simulink was first developed and tested in simulation, and the simulation results showed that system dynamic characteristics could be implemented by using the closed-loop control of the electric motor drive systems. Then we designed a subscale experimental system to emulate the entire power system from the turbine engine to the propulsive fans. Firstly, we built a system to emulate a gas turbine engine driving a generator, consisting of two permanent magnet (PM) motors with brushless motor drives, coupled by a shaft. We programmed the first motor and its drive to mimic the speed-torque characteristic of the gas turbine engine, while the second motor and drive act as a generator and produce a torque load on the first motor. Secondly, we built another system of two PM motors and drives to emulate a motor driving a propulsive fan. We programmed the first motor and drive to emulate a wound-rotor synchronous motor. The propulsive fan was emulated by implementing fan maps and flight conditions into the fourth motor and drive, which produce a torque load on the driving motor. The stator of each PM motor is designed to travel axially to change the coupling between rotor and stator. This feature allows the PM motor to more closely emulate a wound-rotor synchronous machine. These techniques can convert the plain motor system into a unique TeDP power grid emulator that enables real-time simulation performance using hardware-in-the-loop (HIL)

Dinamička simulacija mehaničkih opterećenja – pristup zasnovan na svojstvima industrijskih elektromotornih pogona

Dynamic emulation of mechanical loads presents a modern and interesting approach for testing and validating performance of electrical drives without a real mechanical load included in the test rig. The paper presents an approach to dynamic emulation of mechanical loads when the load torque and inertia mass of emulated load can be significantly greater than that of laboratory test rig. Closed-loop control of load torque and feedforward compensation of inertia and friction torques are used in a test rig. The approach is focused on the use with standard industrial converters. The described method can be used for design and validation of speed control algorithms in mechatronic applications. Experimental results with the emulation of linear loads are presented in end of the paper.Dinamička simulacija mehaničkih opterećenja predstavlja moderan i zanimljiv pristup testiranju i validaciji ponašanja elektromotornih pogona bez uključenog stvarnog mehaničkog opterećenja u eksperimentalni postav. U radu je predstavljen pristup s dinamičkom simulacijom mehaničkih opterećenja za slučaj kada moment tereta ili moment tromosti simuliranog tereta mogu biti daleko veći od onih dostupnih u eksperimentalnom postavu. U postavu se koristi upravljanje momentom tereta u zatvorenoj petlji uz unaprijednu petlju kompenzacije momenta tromosti i momenata trenja. Pristup je usmjeren na upotrebu standardnih industrijskih pretvarača. Opisana metoda može se koristiti za sintezu i validaciju algoritama za upravljanje po brzini u mehatroničkim primjenama. U radu su predstavljeni eksperimentalni rezultati za slučaj simulacije linearnih tereta

Control of distributed renewable energy generation systems in converter-dominated microgrid applications

Mención Internacional en el título de doctorThere is a growing interest in the use of renewable Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) that increase the efficiency of the transmission system and reduce the ecological impact of renewable energy infrastructures. At the same time, they reduce the associated capital requirements, thus increasing the potential installation of renewable energy. Microgrids have been proposed as a solution to improve the integration of renewable DERs. By the use of advanced control techniques, they provide a reliable frame for DERs to support the power system operation. As such, Microgrids can be a promising solution to increase renewable energy penetration. However, since renewable DERs are usually interfaced by Power Electronic Converters (PECs), they do not provide the common stabilization characteristics of traditional generation interfaced by Synchronous Generators (SGs). Therefore, there are concerns about the stability of converter-dominated Microgrids. This Thesis focus on the specific requirements of PEC-interfaced renewable DERs operating in Microgrids. An overview of available solutions show that, for PECs to support the Microgrid operation in both grid-connected and islanded modes, they require a synchronizing mechanism that does not rely on the measurement of an external frequency. A promising alternative is to emulate the behavior of traditional SGs in the PEC control system with the so-called Virtual Synchronous Machine (VSM) solutions. The synchronization system underlying to these proposals is analyzed. A comparison with the use of traditional frequency measurement systems, namely Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs), in the support of the Microgrid power balance is addressed, showing that the PEC synchronization system has a direct effect on the Microgrid stability. The Thesis includes a new proposal to ensure synchronous operation based on the use reactive power, instead of active power as in VSMs, that does not require frequency measurements. A dynamic model of a grid-connected PEC is used to demonstrate that reactive power can be used to ensure synchronism. This Reactive Power Synchronization system is used to propose a solution for the black-start of Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECSs), so that they can contribute to the restoration of the power system following a blackout. The proposed control systems are validated with experimental results of a grid connected PEC and an isolated WECS.Programa Oficial de Doctorado en Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y Automática por la Universidad Carlos III de MadridPresidente: Luis Rouco Rodríguez.- Secretario: Emilio José Bueno Peña.- Vocal: Roberto Alves Baraciart

Inertia emulation control of VSC-HVDC transmission system

The increasing penetration of power electronics interfaced renewable generation (e.g. offshore wind) has been leading to a reduction in conventional synchronous-machine based generation. Most converter-interfaced energy sources do not contribute to the overall power system inertia; and therefore cannot support the system during system transients and disturbances. It is therefore desirable that voltage-source-converter (VSC) based high voltage direct current (HVDC) interfaces, which play an important role in delivery of renewable power to AC systems, could contribute a virtual inertia and provide AC grid frequency support. In this paper, an inertia emulation control (IEC) system is proposed that allows VSC-HVDC system to perform an inertial response in a similar fashion to synchronous machines (SM), by exercising the electro-static energy stored in DC shunt capacitors of the HVDC system. The proposed IEC scheme has been implemented in simulations and its performance is evaluated using Matlab/Simulink

Inertia emulation control strategy for VSC-HVDC transmission systems

There is concern that the levels of inertia in power systems may decrease in the future, due to increased levels of energy being provided from renewable sources, which typically have little or no inertia. Voltage source converters (VSC) used in high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission applications are often deliberately controlled in order to de-couple transients to prevent propagation of instability between interconnected systems. However, this can deny much needed support during transients that would otherwise be available from system inertia provided by rotating plant

Power Management Strategies for a Wind Energy Source in an Isolated Microgrid and Grid Connected System

This thesis focuses on the development of power management control strategies for a direct drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) based variable speed wind turbine (VSWT). Two modes of operation have been considered: (1) isolated/islanded mode, and (2) grid-connected mode. In the isolated/islanded mode, the system requires additional energy sources and sinks to counterbalance the intermittent nature of the wind. Thus, battery energy storage and photovoltaic (PV) systems have been integrated with the wind turbine to form a microgrid with hybrid energy sources. For the wind/battery hybrid system, several energy management and control issues have been addressed, such as DC link voltage stability, imbalanced power flow, and constraints of the battery state of charge (SOC). To ensure the integrity of the microgrid, and to increase its flexibility, dump loads and an emergency back-up AC source (can be a diesel generator set) have been used to protect the system against the excessive power production from the wind and PV systems, as well as the intermittent nature of wind source. A coordinated control strategy is proposed for the dump loads and back up AC source. An alternative control strategy is also proposed for a hybrid wind/battery system by eliminating the dedicated battery converter and the dump loads. To protect the battery against overcharging, an integrated control strategy is proposed. In addition, the dual vector voltage control (DVVC) is also developed to tackle the issues associated with unbalanced AC loads. To improve the performance of a DC microgrid consisting wind, battery, and PV, a distributed control strategy using DC link voltage (DLV) based control law is developed. This strategy provides simpler structure, less frequent mode transitions, and effective coordination among different sources without relying on real-time communication. In a grid-connected mode, this DC microgrid is connected to the grid through a single inverter at the point of common coupling (PCC). The generated wind power is only treated as a source at the DC side for the study of both unbalanced and balanced voltage sag issues at a distribution grid network. The proposed strategy consists of: (i) a vector current control with a feed-forward of the negative-sequence voltage (VCCF) to compensate for the negative sequence currents; and (ii) a power compensation factor (PCF) control for the VCCF to maintain the balanced power flow between the system and the grid. A sliding mode control strategy has also been developed to enhance the overall system performance. Appropriate grid code has been considered in this case. All the developed control strategies have been validated via extensive computer simulation with realistic system parameters. Furthermore, to valid developed control strategies in a realistic environment in real-time, a microgrid has been constructed using physical components: a wind turbine simulator (WTS), power electronic converters, simulated grid, sensors, real-time controllers and protection devices. All the control strategies developed in this system have been validated experimentally on this facility. In conclusion, several power management strategies and real-time control issues have been investigated for direct drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) based variable speed wind turbine system in an islanded and grid-connected mode. For the islanded mode, the focuses have been on microgrid control. While for the grid-connected mode, main consideration has been on the mitigation of voltage sags at the point of common coupling (PCC)