Reactive power capability of a wind turbine with doubly fed induction generator

The aim of the work is to derive a steady state PQ‐diagram for a variable speed wind turbine equipped with a Doubly Fed Induction Generator. Firstly, the dependency between optimal rotor speed and wind speed is presented. Secondly, the limitations in reactive power production, caused by the rotor current, the rotor voltage and the stator current are derived. Thirdly, the influence of switching from Δ to Y coupling of the stator is investigated. Finally, a complete PQ diagram for a wind turbine is plotted. It is concluded that the limiting factor regarding reactive power production will typically be the rotor current limit, and that the limit for reactive power absorption will be the stator current limit. Further, it is concluded that the rotor voltage will only have a limiting effect at high positive and negative slips, but near the limitation, the reactive power capability is very sensitive to small changes in the slip. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

适合于变速恒频双馈感应发电机的Crowbar对比分析

电网运行新规则要求变速恒频双馈感应发电机在电网电压跌落的情况下仍与电网相连接，为做到这一点需要安装低压旁路系统。综合分析了低压带来的负面影响以及低压旁路的具体实现方法；对比了多种Crowbar电路各自的优缺点；最后介绍了变速恒频双馈发电机相关保护控制策略和新型旁路系统。     

Doubly fed induction generator‐based variable‐speed wind turbine: Proposal of a simplified model under a faulty grid with short‐duration faults

The aim of this study is to provide a simplified model of a variable‐speed wind turbine (VSWT) with the technology of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG), which operates under faulty grid conditions. A simplified model is proposed, which consists of a set of electrical and mechanical equations that can be easily modeled as simplistic electrical circuits. It makes it an excellent tool to achieve fault ride‐through capability of grid‐connected VSWT with DFIGs. Both symmetrical and unsymmetrical grid faults, which cause symmetrical and unsymmetrical voltage sags, have been applied to the system in order to validate the model. The proposed simplified model has been compared with the traditional full‐order model under multiple sags (different durations and depths), and the results reveal that both models present similar accuracy. As the idea is to reduce the computational time required to simulate the machine behavior under faulty grid conditions, the proposed model becomes suitable for that purpose. The analytical study has been validated by simulations carried out with MATLAB .     

Validation of a double fed induction generator wind turbine model and wind farm verification following the Spanish grid code

Wind turbine manufacturers are required by transmission system operators for fault ride‐through capability as the penetration of wind energy in the electrical systems grows. For this reason, testing and modeling of wind turbines and wind farms are required by the national grid codes to verify the fulfillment of this capability. Therefore, wind turbine models are required to simulate the evolution of voltage, current, reactive and active power during faults. The simulation results obtained from these wind turbine models are used for verification, validation and certification against the real wind turbines measurement results, although evolution of electrical variables during the fault and its clearance is not easy to fulfill. The purpose of this paper is to show the different stages involved in the fulfillment of the procedure of operation for fault ride‐through capability of the Spanish national grid code (PO 12.3) and the ‘procedure for verification, validation and certification of the requirements of the PO 12.3 on the response of wind farms in the event of voltage dips’. The process has been applied to a wind farm composed of Gamesa G52 wind turbines, and the results obtained are presented. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Parameterization of a synchronous generator to represent a doubly fed induction generator with chopper protection for fault studies

This paper addresses the representation of the wound rotor asynchronous generators by an equivalent synchronous generator, valid for short circuit current calculations. Modern wind power plants are required and designed to ride through faults in the network, subjected to fault clearing. Accurate knowledge of the wind turbine short circuit current contribution is needed for component sizing and protection relay settings during faults within the wind power plant collector system or in the external networks. When studying fault currents and protection settings for wind power installations, the industry standard is to employ software packages where generators are represented by their equivalent synchronous generator operational impedances. Hence, it is of importance to represent non‐synchronous wind generators by an equivalent synchronous generator. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coordinated control for unbalanced operation of stand‐alone doubly fed induction generator

This paper proposes a coordinated control scheme of a stand‐alone doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)‐based wind energy conversion system to improve the operation performance under unbalanced load conditions. To provide excellent voltage profile for load, a direct stator flux control scheme based on auto‐disturbance rejection control (ADRC) is applied, and less current sensors are required. Due to the virtues of ADRC, the controller has good disturbance rejection capability and is robust to parameter variation. In the case of unbalanced loads, the electromagnetic torque pulsations at double synchronous frequency will exist. To eliminate the undesired effect, the stator‐side converter (SSC) is used to provide the negative sequence current components for the unbalanced load. Usually, proportional integral controllers in a synchronous reference frame are used to control SSC. To simplify the algorithm, an improved proportional resonant (PR) control is proposed and used in the current loop without involving positive and negative sequence decomposition. The improved PR provides more degree of freedom which could be used to improve the performance. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme has been validated by the simulation and experimental results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New M5P model tree‐based control for doubly fed induction generator in wind energy conversion system

This paper presents a new algorithm based on the combination of fuzzy logic control with M5 decision tree algorithm for doubly fed induction generator active and reactive power control. The M5 model tree is a machine learning algorithm that uses the extracted dataset from fuzzy logic for the aim of control performance enhancement. Because the fuzzy logic provides high design and implementation complexity, the new control approach is proposed to reduce its complexity and to achieve fast dynamic control by translating the fuzzy logic algorithm into simple if‐then instructions using M5 model tree. The obtained model shows good agreement with fuzzy logic in rotor side control. The effectiveness of the proposed control approach is investigated through Matlab/Simulink software. Furthermore, a cosimulated through processor in the loop testing is performed as an experimental verification using a low‐cost STM32F407 discovery board.     

Active current control in wind power plants during grid faults

Modern wind power plants are required and designed to ride through faults in electrical networks, subject to fault clearing. Wind turbine fault current contribution is required from most countries with a high amount of wind power penetration. In order to comply with such grid code requirements, wind turbines usually have solutions that enable the turbines to control the generation of reactive power during faults. This paper addresses the importance of using an optimal injection of active current during faults in order to fulfil these grid codes. This is of relevant importance for severe faults, causing low voltages at the point of common coupling. As a consequence, a new wind turbine current controller for operation during faults is proposed. It is shown that to achieve the maximum transfer of reactive current at the point of common coupling, a strategy for optimal setting of the active current is needed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Meeting modern grid codes with large direct‐drive permanent magnet generator‐based wind turbines—low‐voltage ride‐through

Ambitious offshore wind energy targets continue to drive technological innovation, with the latest direct‐drive permanent magnet generator‐based wind turbines promising higher efficiency and availability. However, these machines have fixed rotor flux, provided by the magnets, which means that their voltage rises with speed. Further, high machine stator reactance leads to significant magnetic energy storage in the stator windings. Both these aspects provide new challenges for the power converter when designing to meet modern low‐voltage ride‐through requirements. This paper therefore proposes a novel control strategy, using a minimally rated chopper and dynamic brake resistor (DBR) integrated with the wind turbine's power converter, to help these systems to meet the demands of modern grid codes. This control method may allow the chopper and DBR to be rated at only 40% of a fully rated version. Despite only partially rating the DBR system, the control method minimizes the torsional oscillations in the drive train, thereby protecting the mechanical system. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transient and dynamic control of a variable speed wind turbine with synchronous generator

In this article, a controller for dynamic and transient control of a variable speed wind turbine with a full‐scale converter‐connected high‐speed synchronous generator is presented. First, the phenomenon of drive train oscillations in wind turbines with full‐scale converter‐connected generators is discussed. Based on this discussion, a controller is presented that dampens these oscillations without impacting on the power that the wind turbine injects into the grid. Since wind turbines are increasingly demanded to take over power system stabilizing and control tasks, the presented wind turbine design is further enhanced to support the grid in transient grid events. A controller is designed that allows the wind turbine to ride through transient grid faults. Since such faults often cause power system oscillations, another controller is added that enables the turbine to participate in the damping of such oscillations. It is concluded that the controllers presented keep the wind turbine stable under any operating conditions, and that they are capable of adding substantial damping to the power system. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application analysis of a superconducting fault current limiter-magnetic energy storage system for the wind farm

风力发电所面临的两大重要问题是低电压穿越能力弱和功率输出不稳定。为了同时解决这两个问题,我们提出了超导限流-储能系统,并进行了单机系统的仿真研究,证实了该方案的有效性。然而对于风电场的应用,目前尚无研究。本文将超导限流-储能系统的应用扩展到风电场,分析了其提高低电压穿越能力和稳定有功功率输出的机理,并进行了仿真研究。从仿真结果来看,超导限流-储能系统能够同时提高风电场所有风机的低电压穿越能力,并能有效地平滑整个风电场的有功输出功率。考虑不同风机的互补效应,将该系统应用于风力发电场与直接应用于单台风机相比,其储能量和功率输出的要求可以大大降低,从而可以有效地减少系统总成本,因而具有更好的应用前景。     

A robust direct current control of DFIG wind turbine with low current THD based predictive approach

This paper presents a simple and robust direct current control based predictive approach for rotor side converter (RSC) of the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG), which operates at a constant switching frequency and has a fast dynamic response. First, sector of required rotor voltage vector is predicted in this strategy, and according to this predicted sector, two active vectors and two zero vectors are elected in each switching period. Derivatives of rotor current in the synchronous frame are determined for each predicted voltage vector in every period. These derivatives are used to compute the duration of the vectors in such a way that the current error at the end of the switching period gets minimized. The accuracy of the proposed control strategy under variation of rotor speed is evaluated in Matlab/Simulink environment for a 2 MW DFIG. Moreover, the impact of parameter variations on the system is examined for this suggested technique. Furthermore, the dynamic response and stator current total harmonic distortion (THD) of proposed strategy is compared with traditional vector control (VC), direct power control (DPC) and predictive direct power control (PDPC) methods. Finally, the performance of the proposed method is evaluated under disturbance voltage. The results demonstrate that suggested control technique has the lowest stator current THD and operates perfectly near the synchronous speed and under grid voltage dip. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energy‐based excitation control of doubly‐fed induction wind generator for optimum wind energy capture

A novel nonlinear energy‐based excitation controlling strategy for variable‐speed doubly‐fed induction wind generator (DFIWG) is proposed in this paper. From the consideration of physical nature and energy flow of the DFIWG, the mechanical subsystem and the electromagnetical subsystem of the DFIWG first have their port‐controlled Hamiltonian (PCH) realization. Then taking advantage of the feedback interconnection between the subsystems, the entire PCH model of the DFIWG is established. On the basis of this model, the excitation control for the generator speed adjustment is achieved by energy shaping design with the purpose of optimum wind energy capture. Finally, simulation results via MATLAB/Simulink (MathWorks, Natick, MA, USA) confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach for wind speeds in different operating stages. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative study on the performance of control systems for doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbines operating with power regulation

As a result of the increasing wind power penetration on power systems, the wind farms are today required to participate actively in grid operation by an appropriate generation control. This paper presents a comparative study on the performance of three control strategies for DFIG wind turbines. The study focuses on the regulation of the active and reactive power to a set point ordered by the wind farm control system. Two of them (control systems 1 and 2) are based on existing strategies, whereas the third control system (control system 3) presents a novel control strategy, which is actually a variation of the control system 2. The control strategies are evaluated through simulations of DFIG wind turbines, under normal operating conditions, integrated in a wind farm with centralized control system controlling the wind farm generation at the connection point and computing the power reference for each wind turbine according to a proportional distribution of the available power. The three control systems present similar performance when they operate with power optimization and power limitation strategies. However, the control system 3 with down power regulation presents a better response with respect to the reactive power production, achieving a higher available reactive power as compared with the other two. This is a very important aspect to maintain an appropriate voltage control at the wind farm bus.     

In fault ride through reactive current rise time requirements of various European grid codes—analysis based on a full‐converter wind turbine

The European transmission system operators specify grid codes to ensure a safe and reliable operation of the electrical power system, even during grid faults. Wind power plants have to comply with such specific requirements prior to installation and operation. Some of the requirements, however, are open to interpretation, especially because of lack of specification, and therefore, they pose technical challenges to full‐converter wind turbines. In fact, different interpretations leave it open to debate on whether a requirement can be fulfilled or not. The rise time requirement across some European grid codes is discussed in this paper. First the uncertainties in some transmission system operators' definitions of rise time, step response time and settling time are presented, and then a comparative analysis is performed among calculation methods, such as instantaneous reactive current in alpha‐beta reference frame, direct and quadrature reference frame and root mean square of the positive sequence component. The comparison results of both ideal cases and randomly selected measurements from actual full‐converter wind turbine field tests show that the rise time of the reactive current is significantly affected by the calculation methods. This effect in some cases can make the difference between fulfilling the requirement or not. As a result of that, it is highlighted in this paper the need for a common understanding of the rise time requirements between industry and system operators, based on clear technical fundamentals. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A control scheme to enhance low voltage ride‐through of brushless doubly‐fed induction generators

The use of brushless doubly‐fed induction generator has been recently proposed for wind turbines because of its variable speed operation with fractional size converter without the need to brush and slip ring. This paper introduces a control scheme to improve low voltage ride‐through capability of doubly‐fed induction generator considering grid code requirements. The proposed control strategy is based on analysis of flux linkages and back electromotive forces and intends to retain the control‐winding current below the safety limit (typically 2 pu) during severe voltage dips. The time‐domain simulations validate effectiveness of the proposed scheme to protect the converter against failure as well as support reactive power required by German grid code. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A modular series connected converter structure suitable for a high‐voltage direct current transformerless offshore wind turbine

A modular generator/converter system suitable for a 100 kV transformerless HVDC offshore wind turbine is analyzed in this paper. The large diameter generator combined with mechanical tolerances may result in substantial parameter deviations. Therefore, the impact of such parameter variations is analyzed. A steady‐state model relating these variations to the imbalances between module DC voltages has been developed. Additionally, the impact of different control strategies was assessed through simulations in EMTDC/PSCAD. Finally, experimental verification of the system performed on a 45 kW laboratory prototype is presented. The theory is developed with the transformerless wind turbine concept in mind but is also applicable to other similar series connected converter topologies.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design and coordination of a capacitor and on‐load tap changer system for voltage control in a wind power plant of doubly fed induction generator wind turbines

Larger percentages of wind power penetration into the grid translate to more demanding requirements coming from grid codes; for example, voltage support at the point of connection has been introduced recently by several grid codes from around the world, thus making it important to analyse this control. Voltage control is actuated by reactive power injection, and for a wind power plant of doubly fed generator turbines, reactive power capability can be a challenge, which typically is overcome by installing reactive power compensators. The integration and the interaction between all these reactive power sources and the on‐load tap changer of the main substation transformer need to be analysed and taken into account in the control design. In this paper, a novel coordination and control strategy for capacitor banks and on‐load tap changer for a wind power plant is introduced. The capacitor banks are controlled in such way that the steady‐state usage of the converters for reactive power injection is driven below to a maximum desired value of 0.1 pu. Additionally, the control transients because of the capacitor bank switching are minimized by using a suitable control structure. The tap changer control is coordinated with the plant control to decrease the impact of the capacitors reactive power in the line drop calculation, thus reducing the amount of tap operations and improving the accuracy of the line drop voltage estimation. The coordination of the central controller with the plant components is analysed and tested through electromagnetic transient program simulations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling and ride‐through capability of variable speed wind turbines with permanent magnet generators

A model for a variable speed wind turbine with a permanent magnet, multipole, synchronous generator is developed and implemented in the simulation tool PSS/E as a user‐written model. The model contains representations of the permanent magnet generator, the frequency converter system with control, the aerodynamic rotor and a lumped mass representation of the shaft system. This model complexity is needed for investigations of the short‐term voltage stability and ride‐through capability of such wind turbines. Ride‐through capability is a major issue and, for the given concept, can be achieved by applying blocking and restart sequences to the frequency converter at the voltage drop in the power grid. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Short‐term extreme response analysis of a jacket supporting an offshore wind turbine

Wind turbines must be designed in such a way that they can survive in extreme environmental conditions. Therefore, it is important to accurately estimate the extreme design loads. This paper deals with a recently proposed method for obtaining short‐term extreme values for the dynamic responses of offshore fixed wind turbines. The 5 MW NREL wind turbine is mounted on a jacket structure (92 m high) at a water depth of 70 m at a northern offshore site in the North Sea. The hub height is 67 m above tower base or top of the jacket, i.e. 89 m above mean water level. The turbine response is numerically obtained by using the aerodynamic software HAWC2 and the hydrodynamic software USFOS . Two critical responses are discussed, the base shear force and the bending moment at the bottom of the jacket. The extreme structural responses are considered for wave‐induced and wind‐induced loads for a 100 year return‐period harsh metocean condition with a 14.0 m significant wave height, a 16 s peak spectral period, a 50 m s ^{? 1} (10 min average) wind speed (at the hub) and a turbulence intensity of 0.1 for a parked wind turbine. After performing the 10 min nonlinear dynamic simulations, a recently proposed extrapolation method is used for obtaining the extreme values of those responses over a period of 3 h. The sensitivity of the extremes to sample size is also studied. The extreme value statistics are estimated from the empirical mean upcrossing rates. This method together with other frequently used methods (i.e. the Weibull tail method and the global maxima method) is compared with the 3 h extreme values obtained directly from the time‐domain simulations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.