http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/5610941/5624686/05624745.pdf

Power electronics

The objective of this paper is to compare five different generator systems for wind turbines, namely the doubly-fed induction generator with three-stage gearbox (DFIG3G), the direct-drive synchronous generator with electrical excitation (DDSG), the direct-drive permanent-megnet generator (DDPMG), the permanent-magnet generator with single stage gearbox (PMG1G), and the doubly-fed induction generator with single-stage gearbox (DFIG1G). The comparison is based on cost and annual energy yield for a given wind climate. The DFIG3G is a cheap solution using standard components. The DFIG1G seems the most attractive in terms of energy yield divided by cost. The DDPMG has the highest energy yield, but although it is cheaper than the DDSG, it is more expensive than the generator systems with gearbox

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Comparison of direct-drive and geared generator concepts for wind turbines

With rapid development of wind power technologies and significant growth of wind power capacity installed worldwide, various wind turbine concepts have been developed. The wind energy conversion system is demanded to be more cost-competitive, so that comparisons of different wind generator systems are necessary. An overview of different wind generator systems and their comparisons are presented. First, the contemporary wind turbines are classified with respect to both their control features and drive train types, and their strengths and weaknesses are described. The promising permanent magnet generator types are also investigated. Then, the quantitative comparison and market penetration of different wind generator systems are presented. Finally, the developing trends of wind generator systems and appropriate comparison criteria are discussed. It is shown that variable speed concepts with power electronics will continue to dominate and be very promising technologies for large wind farms. The future success of different wind turbine concepts may strongly depend on their ability of complying with both market expectations and the requirements of grid utility companies.

Overview of different wind generator systems and their comparisons

In recent researches on inverter-based distributed generators, disadvantages of traditional grid-connected current control, such as no grid-forming ability and lack of inertia, have been pointed out. As a result, novel control methods like droop control and virtual synchronous generator (VSG) have been proposed. In both methods, droop characteristics are used to control active and reactive power, and the only difference between them is that VSG has virtual inertia with the emulation of swing equation, whereas droop control has no inertia. In this paper, dynamic characteristics of both control methods are studied, in both stand-alone mode and synchronous-generator-connected mode, to understand the differences caused by swing equation. Small-signal models are built to compare transient responses of frequency during a small loading transition, and state-space models are built to analyze oscillation of output active power. Effects of delays in both controls are also studied, and an inertial droop control method is proposed based on the comparison. The results are verified by simulations and experiments. It is suggested that VSG control and proposed inertial droop control inherits the advantages of droop control, and in addition, provides inertia support for the system.

Comparison of Dynamic Characteristics Between Virtual Synchronous Generator and Droop Control in Inverter-Based Distributed Generators

The virtual synchronous generator (VSG) is a control scheme applied to the inverter of a distributed generating unit to support power system stability by imitating the behavior of a synchronous machine. The VSG design of our research incorporates the swing equation of a synchronous machine to express a virtual inertia property. Unlike a real synchronous machine, the parameters of the swing equation of the VSG can be controlled in real time to enhance the fast response of the virtual machine in tracking the steady-state frequency. Based on this concept, the VSG with alternating moment of inertia is elaborated in this paper. The damping effect of the alternating inertia scheme is investigated by transient energy analysis. In addition, the performance of the proposed inertia control in stability of nearby machines in power system is addressed. The idea is supported by simulation and experimental results, which indicates remarkable performance in the fast damping of oscillations.

Power System Stabilization Using Virtual Synchronous Generator With Alternating Moment of Inertia

Inertial response of variable speed wind turbines

In Pulsed Electric Field systems for preservation of liquid food, electrochemical reactions can occur in the treatment chamber. This may result in partial electrolysis of the solution, in corrosion of the electrode and in introduction of small particles of electrode material in the liquid. This contribution will describe the phenomena that occur at the electrodes. The ultimate objective is to be able to adapt the design and the pulse waveform such that these phenomena are minimised. After revisiting the basic theory on electrochemical reactions, an equivalent circuit is presented that can be used to model an electrochemical cell. Based on these models it is shown that electrode corrosion can be limited with short enough pulses. The theory has been verified by experiments. The results of these experiments are presented in this contribution.

Electrochemical reactions and electrode corrosion in pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment chambers

This paper presents a new component within the flexible ac-transmission system (FACTS) family, called distributed power-flow controller (DPFC). The DPFC is derived from the unified power-flow controller (UPFC). The DPFC can be considered as a UPFC with an eliminated common dc link. The active power exchange between the shunt and series converters, which is through the common dc link in the UPFC, is now through the transmission lines at the third-harmonic frequency. The DPFC employs the distributed FACTS (D-FACTS) concept, which is to use multiple small-size single-phase converters instead of the one large-size three-phase series converter in the UPFC. The large number of series converters provides redundancy, thereby increasing the system reliability. As the D-FACTS converters are single-phase and floating with respect to the ground, there is no high-voltage isolation required between the phases. Accordingly, the cost of the DPFC system is lower than the UPFC. The DPFC has the same control capability as the UPFC, which comprises the adjustment of the line impedance, the transmission angle, and the bus voltage. The principle and analysis of the DPFC are presented in this paper and the corresponding experimental results that are carried out on a scaled prototype are also shown.

A FACTS Device: Distributed Power-Flow Controller (DPFC)

This paper gives an overview of electrical conversion systems for wind turbines. First, the basics of wind energy conversion with wind turbines are reviewed and requirements with respect to the electric system are considered. Next, the three classical conversion systems are described with their strengths and weaknesses: constant speed, variable speed with doubly-fed induction generator and variable speed with direct-drive generator. The applied power electronic converters are shortly addressed. Finally alternative generator systems and trends are discussed. There is a clear trend towards variable speed systems. Doubly-fed induction generator systems are increasingly equipped with grid fault ride through capabilities. For direct-drive turbines, the radial flux permanent-magnet synchronous generator is cheaper and more efficient than the electrically excited synchronous generator. It is expected that the voltage level of generators will increase up to values in the order of 5 kV.

Basic Operation Principles and Electrical Conversion Systems of Wind Turbines

The method to investigate the interaction between a Virtual Synchronous Generator (VSG) and a power system is presented here. A VSG is a power-electronics based device that emulates the rotational inertia of synchronous generators. The development of such a device started in a pure simulation environment and extends to the practical realization of a VSG. Investigating the interaction between a VSG and a power system is a problem, as a power system cannot be manipulated without disturbing customers. By replacing the power system with a real time simulated one, this problem can be solved. The VSG then interacts with the simulated power system through a power interface. The advantages of such a laboratory test-setup are numerous and should prove beneficial to the further development of the VSG concept.

Sjoerd W. H. de Haan

Papers

Inertial response of variable speed wind turbines

Electrochemical reactions and electrode corrosion in pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment chambers

A FACTS Device: Distributed Power-Flow Controller (DPFC)

Basic Operation Principles and Electrical Conversion Systems of Wind Turbines

Real time simulation of a power system with VSG hardware in the loop