7th IEEE International Symposium on Applied (omputationallntelligence and Informatics· May 24-26, 2012 • Timi�oara, Romania

Issues above Asynchronous Generator's

Excitation in Wind Aggregates

C. Koch-Ciobotaru, I.Szeidert, I. Filip and C. Vasar

"Politehnica" University from Timisoara, Department of Automatics and Applied Informatics, Romania
cosmin.koch@aut.upt.ro, iosif.szeidert@aut.upt.ro, ioan.fiIip@aut.upt.ro, cristian.vasar@aut.upt.ro

Abstract- The paper presents some considerations

regarding the problematic of asynchronous generator's II. COMPOUND EXCITED INDUCTION GENERATORS­
(AG) excitation. There are presented some theoretical CONSIDERATIONS
considerations regarding the efficiency of the capacitive
The theoretical considerations proved by the
excited asynchronous generator compounding regarding the
experiments performed on test rigs, validate the
load voltage variation compensation. There is presented the
effectiveness of capacitive excited induction generator
determination of the compounding condenser's capacity by
compounding regarding issue of load voltage variation
using the graph-analytical method and respectively the
compensation [1].
calculation of the compound condenser excited induction
generator characteristics even in the case of low speed AG. The induction generator compounding, by analogy of
The above method can be applied in the case of energy d.c. generator compounding, consists in the use of serial
power stations such as wind aggregates connected to the condensers Cs complementary to a shunt exciting
power grid. condensers Cd (as presented in Figure 1).
The phase-modifying effect of the serial condensers is
I. INTRODUCTION explained by the fact that the load voltage is equal to
vector sum of the generator voltage UG and of the
Actually, the domain of power energetic has to address
compounding condensers voltage (U)c, .
and solve major issues such as: the attenuation of the
industry'S destructive influence over the natural
environment; to equal the speedy evolution of the energy
demand (expected to be doubled in the next few years)
and others related.
Renewable energy resources exploit naturally occurring
z.} Zs'
Cs cs.L
energy processes (solar, water and wind resources).
The above stated issues can be fulfilled only by
increasing the utilization efficiency of energy resources by
new methods and techniques.
In the case of wind energy domain, the operations at
variable rotation speed represents a major desiderate [1].
The issues of functioning of energetically groups at
variable controlled rotation speed could be solved by
using the asynchronous generator (double feed induction
machine, induction machine cascades, etc.).
However, in the case of isolated power grids, the
asynchronous generator usage is less represented due to
some technical issues such as the low quality of the
delivered energy [1] [2].
The functioning regime of asynchronous machines as a
generator, parallel to a constant frequency and voltage Figure 1. Schematic diagram of compound induction generator power
grid, is generally well described in the technical literature. circuit.
The motor operating regime presents the same
mathematical models, the equivalent circuit, the circular
III. METIIOD FOR ESTABLISHING THE CONDENSERS
diagram, etc., the difference being only the slip value,
VALVES USED FOR EXCITATION OF THE ASYNCHRONOUS
positive for motor and negative for generator regime. This
MACHINE
functioning regime and its characteristics are very well
known, the present paper illustrates only the peculiarities There is used the characteristic family U = fk (D
that can be noticed in the case of generator regime and
some possible solutions for solving the problems occurred represented in relative units UIU0 = fk (/1/ )
N , for
in the exploitation of the wind aggregates equipped with different values of the power factor (cos q»k constant,
=

asynchronous generators. considered as parameter, analytically calculated or

experimentally determined. In Fig. 2 there are depicted

978-1-4673-1014-7/12/$31.00 ©2012 IEEE - 337-

C. Koch-Ciobotaru et al. • Issues above Asynchronous Generator's Excitation in Wind Aggregates

the characteristics of an case study induction generator, In the examined case in [Id the Cs voltage has resulted
given in [7], Ur =150 V, IN = 2.48 A, at Cd = 84 J.lF and
(U)cs aOa4 53.5%Uf 53.5%Us
(2)
=

different values of the power factor (cos <P )k= const.

= =

For a given value of current I = const. and different 0.535 ·150 80.25V
= =

values of the power factor (cos <p), from the external In the considered functioning regime, the current is I =
characteristics family C = const., there can be determined IN = 2.48 A, and according to (2) it results Cs = 107J.lF. It
the voltage values. Considering the computed voltage can be noted that Cs > Cd.
values at different cos <p there can be represented the The calculus method of the load voltage Us, for
hodographU G= f(cosfP), forI 50% as depicted in
=
different values of the load current, consists, according to
Figure 2. relation
Equivalent to the above considerations, there are Us=UG-( U)cs' (3)
pursued the steps:
i). There is figured out the imposed voltage phasor Us in seeking a phasor Us that satisfies the relation (3)
at the compulsory current and power factor (cos <p) and in which (U) !L (computed proportionally
Cs =
ox:
ii). There is drawn the vector (U)c direction and sense
s s
with the ratio between I and IN for which was calculated
knowing that it is in advance with 90°, related to the
Cs), the phasor Us direction is known (imposed by the
current phasor I .
considered cos <ps) and the extremity of Us coincides
iii). Considering that the phasor (u G ) has the extremity with the extremity of (U G ) and thus it must be on its
of phasor (U)c and, at the same time, the extremity of
s hodograph for the considered Ik value of the current. The
construction is shown in Figure 3.
(U G ) is on the hodograph U G = f (cos fP G ) ' results
There were determined the values of voltages Us , Uo ,
that the extremity of ( U G) shall be at the intersection (U)cs corresponding to different values of the current, for
of phasor (U)c direction with the hodograph, the
s a small power induction generator. Considering the
point of intersection being the only one for which the resulted data there have been built the characteristics U,
above mentioned conditions are fulfilled. Also, taking into Uo (U)cs = f (I). There can be noted that the compounding
account the voltage (U) on the condenser Cs and the performed by instrument of static condensers is an
cs
current (I) C = Ic = Is corresponding to the considered efficient proceeding of compensation.
s '

There is mentioned the method's efficiency even in

operating condition, for which the compensation
case of sudden variations of inductive loads [I].
condenser capacity is determined, there can be calculated
the required capacity value. Examining the influence of the load power factor, there
is mentioned that in case of cos <p < I, the compounding is
C =
I (1) more efficient than in case of active load. Therefore in
s
t».(U)cs case of generator considered in [I], for a load with cos <Ps
= 0,91 there can be noted an error up to 3%, while for pure
resistive load (cos <Ps =1) there result compensating errors
up to 8% [3] [4] [5].
In [I], [7] in order to reduce the compounding
condenser capacity and, correspondingly their costs and
dimensions, there is also discussed the possibility of
compounding condenser connection by means of some
step-down current transformers.

- -
UG=f(cos (pl.
/
Ik
Figure 2. Graphical detennination of the phasor (U) CS on the

condenser required for the compensation of voltage loses in the

generator.

Figure 3. U s phasor construction for given values of Cd , Cs, and I.

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 7th IEEE International Symposium on Applied Computational Intelligence and Informatics· May 24 -26, 2012 • Timi�oara, Romania

IV. COMPOUND CONDENSER EXCITED ASYNCHRONOUS solutions s and U will be made iteratively in an estimated
GENERATOR domain:
The grapho-analytical above exposed method of the s = [Smin=O, Smax] (15)
compound induction generator characteristics is quite U = [Umin, Umax], (16)
difficult. The variation of induction generator parameters beginning with
Xi> X'2, xm, rm are due to the frequency variation with the s= Smax/2 (17)
load or the rotation speed and / or the parameters Xm, rm
U = (Umin +Umax) /2 (18)
For a given load S power factor, that is for a constant
ratio Rs / Xs there will be considered N values of the If the equation (10) is not verified for the considered s,
active and reactive resistances of the load other values of s will be considered for the same value of
U. In accordance with the divided interval method, each
Rs =(N-k+l)(Rs)N (4) time the previous value of s divides the previous interval
(XS)'N = (N-k+l)[(Xs)Nt (5)
into two parts. At the next step will be considered and
divided the part-
Where k=1,2, ... ,N i) Smaller values of s, in the case when laG > laS, then s
Therefore, for each value of the parameter k, the = (Sk + Smin) /2,
unknown variables s (slip) and U (voltage) will be found ii) Greater values of s, in the case when laG < las , then s
as solutions of currents' equilibrium equation: = (Sk + smax> /2 .
ABS(/aG) = ABS(/a)C S I'
(6) Considering the slip value s for which equation (12) is
satisfied, the solution search will continue at other value
ABS(irG) = ABS( (ir k.s +I Cd ) (7) of the voltage. In accordance with the divided interval
method, each time the previous value of the voltage
and (I ) will be expressed considering the equivalent divides the previous interval into two parts. At the next
G r

step will be considered and divided the part

scheme. Therefore, Ie results: a) of smaller values of U, in case when IrG < (lr ks ,
Ie = -j . 211/N . U . Cd 1(1- s) (8)
that is U = (Uk + U� /2
b) of greater values of U, in the case when IrG > (lr
The active and reactive components of the current ks, that is U = (Uk + Umax> /2.
(I) c s will be calculated with the following relation: The calculation diagram is based on above exposed

s =Rs + j(Xs -1/OJCs)

s·
algorithm and was implemented in Matlab Simulink
Zc (9) software environment.
s·

Estimating an admissible variation of the frequency

[ U Rs-j(Xs-lImCs)]
,.S= R;+(Xs-l/aCS)2 1
Ics=U/ZC
I'
( 0) from the standard at unload operation thefrequency value,
may be accepted

(Ia>c..s = URs /(R� +(Xs -1/ mCs)2)= I =

IN ±AI (19)

=URS / ( R; «XS ) /(l-s)-(I-s)/21l" IN' csi )(11)

+ IN
The rotation speed that may assure at unload operation
thisfrequency will be the following:
Considering (8), (9) the equations (10), (11) will
have the expressions n =10 / p =(I N + 41) / P (20)
Considering the equivalent scheme at no-load
U...: Rs'---
(X
ABSI aG =ABS _____ __
---=- (12) operation, that is at s = 0, we'll have
2
S) IN I S =(/G)o
J
R; +
__ _-_ _
Ic (21)
l- s 21l'·IN·C S Where

The equations will be having the below presented form:

Ie =Uo / Xc =Uo . OJ·C =Uo . 27[·/0' C (22)
and
Rs
ABSI aG ABS 2U 2
= (13) 2
� 2
(/G)o =Uo / (rl +rm ) + (XI +xm ) == UO /(XI +xm) (23)
RS +A
Having in view the above relations, we'll obtain
A
ABSlrG ABS 2U 2 +B
= ( J (14) Uo 21[ /0
· · ·
C =
U o / ( xl +Xm) (24)
RS +A Wherefrom
Solving the equations (13), (14), for each pair ofRs and C=1127[' 10 ' (X +Xm) = I

(X )
s IN
values, there will be determined the ... =IN / 27[' (IN +A/)2 . (XIN + xmN) (25)
corresponding operating slip s, voltage U and The condenser capacitance Cs may be found
correspondingly, the operating values of fl ,la, PaG, PrG, considering successively different values of it and
coscpG, ICs.S' U Cs ,Us' calculating each time the external characteristics Us = its).
The required value of Cs will be that which assures an
The computed values will permit to build the
acceptable external characteristic [I] [6] [8].
afferent asynchronous generator characteristics to be used
within an automatic control system. The search of

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c. Koch-Ciobotaru et al. • Issues above Asynchronous Generator's Excitation in Wind Aggregates
v. ISSUES ABOVE Low SPEED ASYNCHRONOUS
GENERATOR EXCITATION
It is known the nowadays trend to use low speed
generators for wind aggregates. Generally, permanent
magnet synchronous generators coupled directly to wind
turbines are considered.
However, asynchronous generators are justifiable
even for low speeds because of their advantages in
simplicity, cost, and control opportunity. The autonomous
induction generators, however, have an important
reactive power Q relative to machine rated power PN For
example: 4,43 PN , at 1 kW, 250 RPM; or 3,71 PN, at 2.5
kW, 250 RPM, etc [1] [7] [9].
The excitation reactive power of a small power and
small speed machine is relatively large. However, these
machines are constructed using the existing technologies
without considering the possibility of optimization by
choosing alternative machine dimensions and
technologies.
In view of the above considerations and due to the
fact that the reactive power is involved in excitation, and
additionally it affects the power required and cost of the
voltage control system it is important to clarify whether it
is possible or not to improve the power factor values of
low speed asynchronous generators by reducing the
excitation reactive power of these machines. This
question rises naturally for induction machines with large
number of poles.
It is known that the excitation reactive power Q of
autonomous induction generator consists of a constant
part Qo independent of the load, and a varying part L\Q,
which varies with the load. The varying reactive power
L\Q is submitted to the excitation control system and
determines the size and cost of that system.
Using an autonomous induction generator
equivalent scheme and proper computer programs, it is
possible to determine the working characteristics of the
generator for different regimes (n=const, n-controlled,
etc.) and different loads, and hence the reactive excitation
power and its components Qo and L\Q [1] [9].
VI. CONCLUSIONS
There certainly exists the technical - economic basis
to a large scale introduction of asynchronous generators in
wind energy conversion systems and mixed systems.
The theoretical and experimental studies performed
permit the setting up of technical conditions necessary for
a normal operation of an asynchronous generator in power
energy stations.
There is presented a graph-analytical method for the
determination of the compounding condenser's capacity
and respectively the calculation of the compound
condenser excited induction generator characteristics.
There are also presented considerations regarding the
excitation of low speed asynchronous generators. The low
speed machines present an advantage for wind energy
conversion system due to the fact that they allow a direct
coupling of the wind turbine with the electrical generator
without using a gear-box and therefore they are more
reliable then classic asynchronous generators.
There can be drawn the conclusion that the theoretical
•
considerations and experiments confirm the efficiency of
the capacitive excited induction generator compounding
regarding the issue of load voltage variation
compensation.
Also, the new technological advances in field of
electronic power devices and control engineering science
permit a more facile integration of asynchronous generator
in power energy generating facilities.
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