Modeling of Small-Scale Wind Power System with Virtual Synchronous Generator

Wind power systems are the most commonly used systems for a renewable energy source over the past few decades. Most of the current wind turbines are large scale wind turbines which produce mega watts power. This thesis is prepared to develop a small scale wind turbine with axial flux permanent magnet synchronous generator for regional areas and small commercial industries. This thesis mainly focuses on the Axial Flux PMSG which is a small scale prototype with the characteristics of the large scale wind turbine generator and having a super capacitor embedded in it. The first objective is to create the dynamic wind gust model. The second objective is to study the background of the large scale wind turbine synchronous generator characteristics and to derive the equations to model the AFPMSG. The next objective is to implement the super capacitor model with a controller. The other main objective of this thesis is to design a Virtual Synchronous Generator to emulate the inertia and damping same as the conventional synchronous generator to maintain output power and the frequency stable when there is a change in the load. The model will be tested using the MATLAB-Simulink environment and the results will be discussed

Modeling of Small-Scale Wind Power System with Virtual Synchronous Generator

Wind power systems are the most commonly used systems for a renewable energy source over the past few decades. Most of the current wind turbines are large scale wind turbines which produce mega watts power. This thesis is prepared to develop a small scale wind turbine with axial flux permanent magnet synchronous generator for regional areas and small commercial industries. This thesis mainly focuses on the Axial Flux PMSG which is a small scale prototype with the characteristics of the large scale wind turbine generator and having a super capacitor embedded in it. The first objective is to create the dynamic wind gust model. The second objective is to study the background of the large scale wind turbine synchronous generator characteristics and to derive the equations to model the AFPMSG. The next objective is to implement the super capacitor model with a controller. The other main objective of this thesis is to design a Virtual Synchronous Generator to emulate the inertia and damping same as the conventional synchronous generator to maintain output power and the frequency stable when there is a change in the load. The model will be tested using the MATLAB-Simulink environment and the results will be discussed

A New Converter Station Topology to Improve the Overall Performance of a Doubly Fed Induction Generator-Based Wind Energy Conversion System

This thesis presents a reliable and cost effective technique that calls for reconfiguration of the existing converters of a typical Doubly Fed Induction Generator to include a coil of low internal resistance. A coil within the DC link is the only hardware component required to implement this technique. With a proper control scheme, activated during fault conditions, this coil can provide the same degree of performance as a superconducting magnetic energy storage unit during fault conditions

Application of Unified Power Flow Controller to Improve the Performance of Wind Energy Conversion System

This research introduces the unified power flow controller (UPFC) as a means to improve the overall performance of wind energy conversion system (WECS) through the development of an appropriate control algorithm. Also, application of the proposed UPFC control algorithm has been extended in this research to overcome some problems associated with the internal faults associated with WECS- voltage source converter (VSC), such as miss-fire, fire-through and dc-link faults

Offshore Wind Farm-Grid Integration: A Review on Infrastructure, Challenges, and Grid Solutions

Recently, the penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) into electrical power systems is witnessing a large attention due to their inexhaustibility, environmental benefits, storage capabilities, lower maintenance and stronger economy, etc. Among these RESs, offshore wind power plants (OWPP) are ones of the most widespread power plants that have emerged with regard to being competitive with other energy technologies. However, the application of power electronic converters (PECs), offshore transmission lines and large substation transformers result in considerable power quality (PQ) issues in grid connected OWPP. Moreover, due to the installation of filters for each OWPP, some other challenges such as voltage and frequency stability arise. In this regard, various customs power devices along with integration control methodologies have been implemented to deal with stated issues. Furthermore, for a smooth and reliable operation of the system, each country established various grid codes. Although various mitigation schemes and related standards for OWPP are documented separately, a comprehensive review covering these aspects has not yet addressed in the literature. The objective of this study is to compare and relate prior as well as latest developments on PQ and stability challenges and their solutions. Low voltage ride through (LVRT) schemes and associated grid codes prevalent for the interconnection of OWPP based power grid have been deliberated. In addition, various PQ issues and mitigation options such as FACTS based filters, DFIG based adaptive and conventional control algorithms, ESS based methods and LVRT requirements have been summarized and compared. Finally, recommendations and future trends for PQ improvement are highlighted at the end

Comparative analysis of three low voltage fault ride through techniques for wind energy conversion systems

This paper compares the performances of three different Low Voltage Fault Ride- Through (LVFRT) techniques for Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS). The comparison aims to identify the most effective technique for alleviation of adverse impacts of AC faults on WECS electrical and mechanical parts, which include DC voltage rise and generator over-speed. The comparison is based on a critical qualitative review of existing literature on the selected LVFRT techniques, which are further supported by quantitative substantiation using simulations. The major findings of this comparative study are highlighted, with emphasis on metrics, which account for practical implementation, hardware, cost, and complexity issues. They are important to assess the overall effectiveness of the techniques evaluated. Although practical and commercial limitations exist, the initial findings suggest that an energy storage solution would be suitable for the enhancement of LVFRT for WECS in future power networks, and if the stored energy is utilised correctly, offer further attractive benefits

Unified Power Quality Conditioner for Grid Integration of Wind Generators

A Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC) is relatively a new member of the custom power device family. It is a comprehensive custom power device, with integrated shunt and series active filters. The cost of the device, which is higher than other custom power/FACTS devices, because of twin inverter structure and control complexity, will have to be justified by exploring new areas of application where the cost of saving power quality events outweighs the initial cost of installation. Distributed generation (such as wind generation) is one field where the UPQC can find its potential application. There has been a considerable increase in the power generation from wind farms. This has created the necessity for wind farms connectivity with the grid during power system faults, voltage sags and frequency variations. The application of active filters/custom power devices in the field of wind generation to provide reactive power compensation, additional fault ride through capability and to maintain Power Quality (PQ) at the point of common coupling is gaining popularity. Wind generation like other forms of distributed generation often relies on power electronics technology for flexible interconnection to the power grid. The application of power electronics in wind generation has resulted in improved power quality and increased energy capture. The rapid development in power electronics, which has resulted in high kVA rating of the devices and low price per kVA, encourages the application of such devices at distribution level. This work focuses on development of a laboratory prototype of a UPQC, and investigation of its application for the flexible grid integration of fixed and variable speed wind generators through dynamic simulation studies. A DSP based fully digital controller and interfacing hardware has been developed for a 24 kVA (12 kVA-shunt compensator and 12 kVA-series compensator) laboratory prototype of UPQC. The modular control approach facilitates the operation of the device either as individual series or shunt compensator or as a UPQC. Different laboratory tests have been carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of developed control schemes.A simulation-based analysis is carried out to investigate the suitability of application of a UPQC to achieve Irish grid code compliance of a 2 MW Fixed Speed Induction Generator (FSIG). The rating requirement of the UPQC for the wind generation application has been investigated. A general principle is proposed to choose the practical and economical rating of the UPQC for this type of application. A concept of UPQC integrated Wind Generator (UPQC-WG) has been proposed. The UPQC-WG is a doubly fed induction machine with converters integrated in the stator and rotor circuits and is capable of adjustable speed operation. The operation of UPQC-WG under sub and super-synchronous speed range has been demonstrated. The Irish grid code compliance of the same has been demonstrated with a detailed dynamic simulation

THE STABILITY ANALYSIS FOR WIND TURBINES WITH DOUBLY FED INDUCTION GENERATORS

The quickly increasing, widespread use of wind generation around the world reduces carbon emissions, decreases the effects of global warming, and lowers dependence on fossil fuels. However, the growing penetration of wind power requires more effort to maintain power systems stability. This dissertation focuses on developing a novel algorithm which dynamically optimizes the proportional-integral (PI) controllers of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) driven by a wind turbine to increase the transient performance based on small signal stability analysis. Firstly, the impact of wind generation is introduced. The stability of power systems with wind generation is described, including the different wind generator technologies, and the challenges in high wind penetration conditions. Secondly, the small signal stability analysis model of wind turbines with DFIG is developed, including detailed rotor/grid side converter models, and the interface with the power grid. Thirdly, Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is selected to off-line calculate the optimal parameters of DFIG PI gains to maximize the damping ratios of system eigenvalues in different wind speeds. Based on the historical data, the artificial neural networks (ANNs) are designed, trained, and have the ability to quickly forecast the optimal parameters. The ANN controllers are designed to dynamically adjust PI gains online. Finally, system studies have been provided for a single machine connected to an infinite bus system (SMIB), a single machine connected to a weak grid (SMWG), and a multi machine system (MMS), respectively. A detailed analysis for MMS with different wind penetration levels has been shown according to grid code. Moreover, voltage stability improvement and grid loss reduction in IEEE 34-bus distribution system, including WT-DFIG under unbalanced heavy loading conditions, are investigated. The simulation results show the algorithm can greatly reduce low frequency oscillations and improve transient performance of DFIGs system. It realizes off-line optimization of MMS, online forecasts the optimal PI gains, and adaptively adjusts PI gains. The results also provide some useful conclusions and explorations for wind generation design, operations, and connection to the power grid. Advisors: Sohrab Asgarpoor and Wei Qia

THE STABILITY ANALYSIS FOR WIND TURBINES WITH DOUBLY FED INDUCTION GENERATORS

The quickly increasing, widespread use of wind generation around the world reduces carbon emissions, decreases the effects of global warming, and lowers dependence on fossil fuels. However, the growing penetration of wind power requires more effort to maintain power systems stability. This dissertation focuses on developing a novel algorithm which dynamically optimizes the proportional-integral (PI) controllers of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) driven by a wind turbine to increase the transient performance based on small signal stability analysis. Firstly, the impact of wind generation is introduced. The stability of power systems with wind generation is described, including the different wind generator technologies, and the challenges in high wind penetration conditions. Secondly, the small signal stability analysis model of wind turbines with DFIG is developed, including detailed rotor/grid side converter models, and the interface with the power grid. Thirdly, Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is selected to off-line calculate the optimal parameters of DFIG PI gains to maximize the damping ratios of system eigenvalues in different wind speeds. Based on the historical data, the artificial neural networks (ANNs) are designed, trained, and have the ability to quickly forecast the optimal parameters. The ANN controllers are designed to dynamically adjust PI gains online. Finally, system studies have been provided for a single machine connected to an infinite bus system (SMIB), a single machine connected to a weak grid (SMWG), and a multi machine system (MMS), respectively. A detailed analysis for MMS with different wind penetration levels has been shown according to grid code. Moreover, voltage stability improvement and grid loss reduction in IEEE 34-bus distribution system, including WT-DFIG under unbalanced heavy loading conditions, are investigated. The simulation results show the algorithm can greatly reduce low frequency oscillations and improve transient performance of DFIGs system. It realizes off-line optimization of MMS, online forecasts the optimal PI gains, and adaptively adjusts PI gains. The results also provide some useful conclusions and explorations for wind generation design, operations, and connection to the power grid. Advisors: Sohrab Asgarpoor and Wei Qia