SELECTED TOPICS in SYSTEM SCIENCE and SIMULATION in ENGINEERING

STABILITY ANALYSIS OF PERMANENT MAGNET

SYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR USED IN
MICRO-COGENERATION SYSTEMS
ION VONCIL, NICOLAE BADEA
Electrical Engineering Department
Dunrea de Jos University of Galai
no. 47, Domneasc Street, 800008, GALAI
ROMANIA
Ion.Voncila@ugal.ro http://www.ugal.ro
Abstract: - This paper has a dual purpose: on the one hand the technical-economic analysis of cogeneration
microplants (also emphasizing the producers preferences for certain classes of electric generators in terms of
using the same type of prime mover, respectively the Stirling engine), on the other hand the functional stability
analysis, in stationary regime, of permanent magnet synchronous generator at variations of mechanical and
electrical parameters on both its access gates (the proposed solution). For stability analysis it has been used
Matlab/Simulink programming environment.
Key-Words: m-CHP; Stirling Engine; renewable energies, electrical generators.
Similar to high power conventional synchronous
generators with electromagnetic excitation, at new
permanent magnet synchronous generators the
functional stability problem arises in case of
disturbances on the two access gates (mechanical
and electrical) of the electric vehicle.
Such solution was analyzed in this paper, for special
case of low power synchronous generators excited
by permanent magnets, used as mechanicalelectrical converters in micro-cogeneration systems
(m-CHPs).
For these systems that operate in isolated sites, the
functional stability is a vital problem to satisfy user
requirements.

1 Introduction
In the past 120 years the synchronous generator
has been widely used in alternative current (AC)
power generation. Due to its existence were
developed the centralized power systems of AC
power transmission and distribution, systems that
through integration achieved a global extension.
Energy crisis by the end of the 20th Century,
determined finding alternatives to the primary
systems by which the electricity production can
continue at the requirements of modern society.
A conceptual and revolutionary change was the
transition from centralized systems of electricity
generation with low and medium power units, to
decentralized systems. The change was claimed by
the new "primary fuels", represented now by the
kinetic energy of wind, solar energy, kinetic energy
of water, etc. Irregular arrangement of the new
primary energies also claimed the passing to a
non-uniform distribution of conversion systems of
these energies into electricity.
Although various solutions have been tried for the
new decentralized conversion systems, and for large
power systems (centralized systems), using the
synchronous generators adapted to the new power
units, still turns out to be a viable solution. Indeed,
adapting to new demands of decentralized systems
determined a structural and overall change of
synchronous generators, obtained by replacing the
electromagnetic excitation with permanent magnets.

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2 Types of cogeneration microplants

(m-CHPs) and used generators
particularities
Generally the cogeneration and particularly microcogeneration were claimed by the domestic systems
due to the following benefits, compared with
conventional systems: energy losses reduction and
efficiency increase; diminution of exhaust emissions
(CO2, NO etc.) and so reducing environmental
impact; the possibility of using the new prime
movers and new fuels biogas, biomass, solar
radiation etc.) fulfillment of local consumer needs
(for the most exigent requirement).
In Fig. 1 [1] it is comparatively presented the power
diagrams for a domestic conventional system and a

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micro-cogeneration domestic system, on which the

gas is the prime mover fuel. An important advantage
of micro-cogeneration systems compared with
centralized conventional systems, it is represented
by their capability of being used in isolated sites.

Table 1. The technical-economic characteristics of

the co-generation power stations for different
construction companies [2]
Company
ADI Thermal
Power Corp.
BG Group
BSR Solar
Technologies
External Power
Sigma
Elektroteknisk
SOLO
Kleinmotoren
Stirling
Advantage
Stirling Energy
Systems
Stirling
Technology
Company

Fig. 1. Power diagram for classic domestic systems

and micro-CHP systems
It is a hard struggle in the world to implement the
new concepts, in order to find good solutions
technically, economically and with reduced
environmental impacts. Many companies try, year
after year, to obtain prototypes for m-CHPs that
allow rapid satisfying and implementation in the
customer area. Over the years, among many reliable
solutions proposed, were noted: Sunpower (USA),
Sunmachine (Germany), Whisper Tech Limited
(New Zeeland) etc.
The heart of m-CHPs is represented by the prime
mover, from which it is obtained - by intermediary
converters- both thermal energy and electrical
energy. Lately, has been strongly developed the
class of external combustion prime movers to the
detriment of internal combustion engines, and from
this new class, the Stirling Engine has the place of
honor. The issue of cogeneration with Stirling
engines, in general and of micro-cogeneration in
particular, is covered by many companies worldwide
(Table 1).
At the present day, the technical analysis it is not
enough reason why it is necessary the doubling
through the economic analysis.
In case of cogeneration units (and m-CHPs) the
costs per unit of power may be an important
indicator for the user. Table 2 presents such an
economic analysis for costs per unit of electric
power in case of CHPs (cogeneration units) made by
different companies.
It is remarkable that for low power units, the costs
supported by the companies to realize the prototypes
are much higher (in relative values) than for medium
and high power units. In the Fig. 2 it is shown a
comparative analysis of unit costs of the main
companies that produce CHP units.

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STM Power
Sunpower
Sustainable
Energy Systems
Uwe Moch
Whisper Tech

Characteristics
- electric part 25 kWe

Characteristics
- thermal part -

1,1 kWe
5-10 kWe

15-36 kWth
-

15 kWe
3 kWe

9 kWth

2-10 kWe

8-24 kWth

200 kWe

123 kWth

25 kWe
350 We
550 We
1,25 kWe
3 kWe
25 kWe
1 kWe
10 kWe

44 kWth
-

900-950 We
950 We (AC)
1-1,1 kWe
(DC)

6 kWth

Table 2. The costs per electric power unit of the

co-generation power stations for different
construction companies [2]
Company
SOLO
Kleinmotoren
Stirling
Technology
Company
Stirling Energy
Systems
STM Power
Uwe Moch
Whisper Tech

Product
Integrated
system
Integrated
system
Integrated
system
Integrated
system
Integrated
system
Integrated
system
(AC)

kWe
10

$/demo
20000

$/ kWe
2000

1,25

45000

36000

25

250000

10000

25

60000

2400

0,95

17000

17895

0,95

13000

13684

According to this aspect, choosing an m-CHP must

be made very carefully.
For the Project RO 0054, that is the subject of this
case study, were comparatively observed the
m-CHPs, with Stirling engines, units that were
offering technical and economic benefits and also

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environmental impact advantages (the Stirling motor

is a noisy system, sometimes hard to accept in
development of domestic systems).

Table. 4 Technical-economic characteristics of the

Whisper Tech Limited micro power stations from
New Zeeland[2]
Product
Type of primary
engine
Number of pistons
Work fluid
Type of generator
Power discharged
Number of phases
Tension
delivered/frequency
Thermal power
available
Fuel
Efficiency of the
electric part
Total efficiency
(Net) Weight
Noise level
Life expectancy
Distributor price

Fig. 2. The comparative analysis of

the unit costs for the integrated cogeneration systems [2]
It is interesting that in the m-CHPs are used squirrel
cage induction generators and also permanent
magnet synchronous generators, with generators
with a tilt of balance for second category generators
(recently, for the linear synchronous generators).
This particularity is displayed in tables 3 and 4.

Type of primary engine

Number of pistons
Work fluid
Fluid exit emperature
(for the heating part)
Fluid exit emperature
(for the cooling part)
Type of generator
Power discharged
Tension
delivered/frequency
Fuel
Efficiency of the electric
part
Distributor price

Cogeneration micro
power station
Stirling, with free
movement of the piston
One
Helium
5500C

6 kWth
Natural gas, propane
12 %
90 %
100 kg
48 dBA (no vibrations)
30000 ore
(2000-3000)$/system

3 Modeling and simulation of

permanent
magnet
synchronous
generator used in m-CHP with Stirling
motor

500C
Synchronous, linear
1 kWe
240V/50 Hz

Mathematical Modelling of classical synchronous

machine, with cu electromagnetic excitation is well
known worldwide [3], [4], [5]. Replacing the
electromagnetic excitation with permanent magnets
brings from the mathematical point of view, a model
simplification [6], [7]. The mathematical model of
permanent magnet synchronous generator in system
(d,q), utilized for analysis in this paper, it is given by
system (1). To implement the system (1) it was used
programming environment Matlab/Simulink. At the
voltage equations and electromagnetic torque
expression - from system (1) it is also added the
equation of movement (the last equation of system).

Natural gas, propane,

biomass
28 %
35 000$/kWe

Due to this wide utilization of permanent magnet

synchronous generators (both linear and rotary), in
the project mentioned above was proposed the
acquisition of a m-CHP equipped with a rotary
permanent magnet synchronous generator (product
of Sunmachine).

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Four
Azoth
Asynchronous
950 We
mono-phased
(230-240) V/(50-60) Hz

The problem developed in this paper has the main

purpose the verification of functional stability of this
type of synchronous generator at variations of
mechanical and electrical parameters on both access
gates.

Table 3. Technical-economic characteristics of the

Sunpower micro power stations USA[2]
Product

Integrated cogeneration
system
Stirling (Beta type)

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Lq
di d
r
1
=
id +
p m iq
ud
dt
Ld
Ld
Ld
di q
L
p m
1
r
=
iq d p m id m

uq
dt
Lq
Lq
Lq
Lq

3
Tem = p m iq + (Ld Lq ) id iq
2
2
d m J d eg
=
Ta Tem = J
dt
p dt 2

(1)
Fig. 3. The Simulink block scheme for the
simulation of the functioning of synchronous
generators excited with permanent magnets

where:
u d , u q - the d and q axis stator voltages;

i d , i q - the d and q axis stator currents;

r - the phase resistance of stator winding;
Ld , Lq - the d and q axis stator inductances;
m - the flux of permanent magnets (it is
considered a constant value specific to each class of
permanent magnets available on the market ;
Tem - the electromagnetic torque developed by the
generator;
Ta - the active torque due to prime mover;

Fig. 4. The parameters of the modeled synchronous

generator with permanent magnets

J - the total moment of inertia of generator shaft,

considered constant;
m - the mechanical angular velocity;

m - the angular position (instantaneous mechanical

angle of the generator)
eg - the instantaneous electrical angle of the
generator.
The relationship between electric and mechanic
angles is:
(2)
eg = p m

a)

where: p is the number of rotor pole pairs.

For simplicity and facile interpretation of the results,
was used as a global task for generator, a threephase
receiver
purely
resistive
(active
power P = 3kW ).
In Fig. 3 it is shown the block scheme for
simulation, in selected programming environment,
of permanent magnet synchronous generator
operation and in Fig. 4 it is presented the window
with parameters of studied generator.
Block diagrams that allow implementation of the
mathematical model of permanent magnet
synchronous generator are shown in Figure 5 a, b.

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b)
Fig 5. The Simulink block schemes for the
implementation of the mathematical model of the
synchronous generator with permanent magnets:
a) implementation of the tension equations system;
b) implementation of the movement equation
To obtain the generator regime of synchronous
machine excited with permanent magnet, according
to convention work specified in Simulink library [8]
the mechanic torque input must have minus sign,
thereby, specifying that the electric machine receive

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mechanic power from a prime mover (in our case,

the Stiriling engine).

4 The obtained results

For functional stability analysis of permanent
magnet synchronous generator, was considered
parameters variation on mechanical access gate (the
toque developed by the prime mover) and also the
parameters variation on electrical access gate.
The obtained results at load operation of chosen
synchronous generator are shown in Fig.6.

Fig. 8. Variation of statoric currents for the

generator analyzed in stabilized mode, at an
increase of 10 % of the primary engine couple

Fig. 9. Variation of statoric currents for the

generator analyzed in stabilized mode, at a
decrease of 10 % of the primary engine couple

Fig. 6. Simulation results for the functioning in

resisting load of the chosen synchronous three
phased generator with permanent magnets (currents,
delivered tensions and the primary engine couple
according to the specified signs convention)

There is a strong influence on the output values of

the electric generator due to variations of the load
connected at its terminals (electric access gate). In
Fig.10 it is shown the output parameters variation of
studied generator in case when the load, connected
at terminals, increases by 10 % and in Fig. 11 it is
presented the variation of the same parameters if the
generator load decreases by 10 %.

The variation in stabilized mode of currents in the

generator stator winding analyzed (reference) is
presented in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10. Variation of currents and tension delivered

by the synchronous generator with permanent
magnets when the load increases by 10 %

Fig. 7. Variation of statoric currents for the

generator analyzed in stabilized mode
In the case when the torque of prime mover (Stirling
engine) has a variation of 10 % at constant
generator parameters, respectively at load, the
variation of statoric currents in stabilized mode are
as shown in Fig. 8 and 9.
In these processes, the delivered voltage recorded
variations of 8,33 % compared to reference value
and the current intensity varies between + 11,36 %,
and 8,6 % range , compared with reference value.

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Fig. 11. Variation of currents and tension delivered

by the synchronous generator with permanent
magnets when the load decreases by 10 %

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Load increasing by 10 % leads to a decreasing of

delivered voltage by 12,5 % and a current increasing
only by 4,5 %. Reduction of the load by the same
percentage will determine an increase of delivered
tension by 12,5 % and will maintain practically
constant the current compared with reference value.
Also it is worth to mention that in these processes,
the other parameters of electric generator (and of
prime mover) were kept constant.
The modification of generator internal parameters
can have a major influence on functional stability
The most expected phenomenon is the aging of
permanent magnets in time and with temperature.
Through aging, the flux of permanent magnets
decreases; the consequences of flux weakening by
20 % compared with initial state, influence the
variation of currents and tensions delivered as it is
shown in Fig. 12.

the value of output parameters (voltage, current)

of generator it is also affected by the load
variation while maintaining constant the other
specific parameters;
- exists a strong influence on output parameters of
electric generator due to aging phenomenon of
permanent magnets (decreasing in time of
permanent magnets flux);
The study achieved, through modeling and
simulation, on electric generator indicated for
m-CHPs, emphasizes that permanent magnet
synchronous generator is a viable solution, with the
advantages of constructive and functional simplicity,
an inexpensive maintenance when high-performance
permanent magnets are used (stabilized from
thermic point of view and also stabilized against
reaction magnetic fields, statoric and demagnetize
and stabilized, while reaction against magnetic
fields, stator field and demagnetizing field) .
References:
[1] C. Ghler, Micro-CHP with Stirling Engine,
Smart&Efficient Energy Council, Trento, 2009,
PowerPoint Presentation
[2] D. Thimsen, EPRI Project Manager - Stirling
Engine Assessment - Final Report, October, 2002;
[3] A. Genon, W. Legros, Machines lectriques,
Hermes Science Europe, 2000
[4] M. Jufer, Trait dlectricit, Vol X, Machines
lectriques,
Presses
Polytechniques
et
Universitaires Romandes, Paris, 1995
[5] A. NASAR, I. BOLDEA, Electrical machines:
dinamics and control, CRS Press, 1993
[6] C. GHI, Convertoare electromecanice, Vol.
2, Ed. ICPE, Bucureti, 1999
[7] C. GHI, Convertoare electromecanice, Vol.
3, Ed. ICPE, Bucureti, 2001
[8] ***MATLAB 7.0. Simulation software,
MathWorks-licence, 2004

Fig. 12. Variation of currents and tensions delivered

by the synchronous generator with permanent
magnets when the flux of the permanent magnets
decreases by 20 %
Flux diminution determines the increase of voltage
level by 27,5 % and the increase of current intensity
by 18,18 % for the same load value.
Such a situation is problematical for electrical
installation first because can affects the electric
machine insulation (leading to its rapid aging and to
decreasing of electric generator lifetime), second
because leads to Joule losses increasing (with a
faster growth of temperature from inside and with
causing an avalanche effect on the aging process of
permanent magnets and insulation, and therefore a
drastic reduction of the electric generator lifetime).

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge to EEA
Financial Mechanism for financing the research on
Integrated m-CCHPs Stirling Engine based on
renewable energy sources for the isolated residential
consumers from South-East region of Romania (mCCHP-SE), under the contract No. RO-0054/2009.

5 Conclusion
From the accomplished functional stability analysis
of permanent magnet synchronous generator result
the following conclusions:
- the variation of generator input parameters (in
principle, of prime mover torque) determines the
variation of output parameters (voltage, current,
power delivered to load);

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