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Energy
EnergyProcedia
Procedia138 (2017) 000–000
00 (2017) 193–198
www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia

2017 International Conference on Alternative Energy in Developing Countries and Emerging Economies
2017 AEDCEE, 25‐26 May 2017, Bangkok, Thailand

Efficiency
TheEvaluation of Three
15th International Phase
Symposium and Single
on District HeatingPhase C2C Self-
and Cooling
Excited Induction Generator for Micro Hydro Power Application
Assessing the feasibility of using the heat demand-outdoor
temperature function for a Shah
Mubarak long-term district heat demand forecast
a, Sakda Somkunb*

School of Renewable Energy Technology, Naresuan University Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand

I. Andrića,b,c*, A. Pinaa, P. Ferrãoa, J. Fournierb., B. Lacarrièrec, O. Le Correc
a
IN+ Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research - Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
b
Veolia Recherche & Innovation, 291 Avenue Dreyfous Daniel, 78520 Limay, France
c
Département Systèmes Énergétiques et Environnement - IMT Atlantique, 4 rue Alfred Kastler, 44300 Nantes, France
Abstract

Squirrel-cage induction motor (SCIM) is used as generator to a great extent for micro hydropower applications due
toAbstract
their robustness, brushless construction, low cost, reliability, rare maintenance, and availability in a wide power
range. Squirrel-cage induction generator (SCIG) normally requires excitation capacitors to build up the terminal
District from
voltage heating networks
residual are commonly
magnetism. addressed
However, for in the literature
rated and stable as voltage
one of the
andmost effectiveoperation,
frequency solutions for decreasing
selection the
of an
greenhouse gas
appropriate sizeemissions from the
of excitation buildingissector.
capacitor These
crucial. systems
This paperrequire highthe
presents investments
efficiencywhich are returned
evaluation of anthrough
SCIGthewith
heat
sales. Due
different to the changed
excitation climate
capacitors conditions
to supply and building
three-phase renovation policies,
and single-phase heatloads.
resistive demand in the future
A 1.5-kW could decrease,
three-phase SCIM
prolonging the investment return period.
was selected as the SCIG driven by a 3-kW three-phase SCIM as a prime mover. The shaft speed was controlled by
a The main scope
variable speedofdrive
this paper is to assess
(Yaskawa the feasibility
A1000) with anofincremental
using the heat demandfor
encoder – outdoor temperature
the speed function
feedback. Shaftfortorque
heat demand
was
forecast. from
obtained The district of Alvalade,
a torque located in installed
sensor (TRB-2K) Lisbon (Portugal),
in between wasthe
usedtwoas machines.
a case study. The districtofisthe
Parameters consisted
SCIG of 665
were
buildings that
determined byvary
DC,inno-load,
both construction
and locked period andtests,
rotor typology.
then Three weather excitation
the required scenarios (low, medium, was
capacitance high) calculated.
and three district
For
renovation scenarios were developed (shallow, intermediate, deep). To estimate the error, obtained heat demand values were
three-phase operation star connected SCIG was excited by the capacitors in star connection to supply a three-phase
compared with results from a dynamic heat demand model, previously developed and validated by the authors.
resistive load. For the single-phase operation, the delta connected SCIG was excited with so-called C2C
The results showed that when only weather change is considered, the margin of error could be acceptable for some applications
configuration.
(the error in annual demand was lower than 20% for all weather scenarios considered). However, after introducing renovation
©scenarios,
2017 Thethe error value
Authors. increased
Published up to 59.5%
by Elsevier Ltd. (depending on the weather and renovation scenarios combination considered).
©The2017 The of
value Authors.
slope Published
coefficientby Elsevier on
increased Ltd.
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientificaverage within
committee the 2017
of the rangeInternational
of 3.8% upConference
to 8% per on decade, that corresponds
Alternative Energy in to the
Peer-review
­Ddecrease under responsibility
evelopinginCountries
the number
andofEmergingof the
heating Organizing
hours Committee
of 22-139h
Economies. during ofthe2017 AEDCEE.
heating season (depending on the combination of weather and
renovation scenarios considered). On the other hand, function intercept increased for 7.8-12.7% per decade (depending on the
Keywords: : Excitation capacitor, self-excited induction generator, Single-Phase C2C condition, Squirrel-cage induction motors
coupled scenarios). The values suggested could be used to modify the function parameters for the scenarios considered, and
improve the accuracy of heat demand estimations.

© 2017 The Authors.

*Corresponding Published
author. Tel.: by Elsevier
+66-55-963192; Ltd.
fax: +66-55-963182.
Peer-review
E-mail undersakdaso@nu.ac.th
address: responsibility of the Scientific Committee of The 15th International Symposium on District Heating and
Cooling.

Keywords: Heat demand; Forecast; Climate change

1876-6102 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Peer-review under responsibility of the Organizing Committee of 2017 AEDCEE.

1876-6102 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Committee of The 15th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling.
1876-6102 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 2017 International Conference on Alternative Energy in
­Developing Countries and Emerging Economies.
10.1016/j.egypro.2017.10.149
2194 Mubarak
Mubarak Shah
Shah/ et al.Procedia
Energy / Energy 00
Procedia
(2017) 138 (2017) 193–198
000–000

Nomenclature

ω speed
τ torque
Pload load power
Pshaft rotor shaft power
Pgen generator power
Vg generator terminal voltage
1. Introduction

In most of the developing countries, one of the popular methods of rural electrification is from micro-hydro
power generation systems (MHPGS). Such kind of MHPGS’s operate in a stand-alone mode for isolated
communities, for which construction of high voltage transmission line is not financially and geographically practical
and are independent of utility grid systems. Small hydro systems are divided between a mini (less than 1000kW)
and micro (less the 100kW) systems with respect to the power generation capacity [1]. In MHPGS, the kinetic
energy from the water stream directed by penstock rotates the turbine connected to the generator to convert the shaft
power into useful electrical energy.
Consequently, Squirrel-cage Induction Motor (SCIM) is the subject of this research. The primary reasons for
supporting induction generator for wind and hydropower generation are its robustness and brushless construction.
Other main reasons are its low cost, reliability, rare maintenance, no separate DC excitation and availability in a
wide range, from a few kilowatts to a few megawatts [2]. Another unique property of the induction machine is that
unlike synchronous machine, induction machine operates at variable speed. However, poor voltage and frequency
regulations and low power factors are the drawbacks of induction generator. The major reasons of variable voltage
and frequency are the variable rotor speed, value of the electrical load and the size of excitation capacitors. The
selection of an appropriate size of excitation capacitance is an important part of the design for stable and constant
output voltage and frequency. However, research studies are still in progress in order to resolve the lack of
regulations of dynamic voltage and frequency of the self-excited induction generator (SEIG) system.
In this paper, three-phase induction generator (IG) supplies power for both three-phase and single-phase loads.
However, single-phase IG can be used under SEIG system but arrangement and selection of excitation capacitors
tends to make the system complex. Furthermore, three-phase induction motor (IM) is cheaper as compared to a
single-phase IM [3]. In addition, to achieve a balanced system for higher efficiency in single-phase C2C SEIG, it is
vital to assure the correct direction of the rotation of the machine associating to the phases to which C and 2C
capacitors are connected. It is feasible to find out the right direction of rotor rotation from the machine windings.
However, it is possible to have an incorrect rotation, if the windings are labelled wrongly. Therefore, it is possible to
make sure that the phase is balanced by measuring the balanced power output or balanced phase current for each
phase [4, 2, 3, 5]. Hence, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of the three-phase and single-
phase C2C SEIG system under balanced condition.

2. Experimental Setup and Methodology

A 1.5/2 kW/HP, three-phase, 230/380 V, 6.4/3.7 A, 50/60 Hz and 1430 RPM squirrel-cage induction generator
(SCIG) driven by a 3/4 kW/HP, three-phase, 230/380 V, 11.6/6.7 A, 50/60 Hz IM as prime mover.
A Yaskawa AC drive is used to vary the speed of prime mover to emulate the turbine of the hydropower system.
The shaft speed from incremental encoder type speed sensor is given to the AC drive for closed loop speed control.
The speed of the motor is adjusted around the rated speed to study the effect of the turbine speed variations. The
input mechanical power is calculated from the torque measured by the torque sensor installed in between the two
machines. The performance of the three phase and single phase C2C system is studied for various excitation
capacitors under various load conditions. Equation 1 is used to calculate the efficiency of the system.

Pload Pload
Efficiency (%) 
Pshaft


(1)
 Mubarak Shah et al. / Energy Procedia 138 (2017) 193–198 195
Mubarak Shah/ Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000 3

2.1. Three-phase SEIG from three-phase IG and magnetization curve

The three-phase SCIG with the star connection was excited by connecting the capacitors to supply three-phase
resistive load at 380 V as shown in the Fig. 1(a). Magnetization curve shown in Fig. 1(b) reveals the operation of the
IG, which is obtained from the no-load test of the machine. During the no-load test, the reactive power consumed by
the machine is used to calculate the excitation capacitor as this is the approximate reactive power required by the
generator from the capacitor bank at full load condition. Induction generator depends on residual magnetism for
self-excitation. This magnetism in the iron core generates a small voltage, which causes a capacitive current flow,
also called delay current. Then the terminal voltage will be gradually developed. This cycle of mutual (current and
voltage) improvement is repeated until the iron core is saturated [6, 7].

P V i  3V 2C ω (2)
gen g load g 1

(b) Vphase (V)

Vrated (V)

Generator

Capacitor

Iphase (A)
Inoload (A)

Fig. 1. Three-phase SEIG (a) experimental setup; (b) magnetizing curve of the induction generator[3].

2.2. Single-phase C2C SEIG from three-phase IG

For the 220 V single-phase load, the SCIG with the delta connection was excited with so-called C2C
configuration. Following the single-phase C2C configuration, it is essential to determine the correct size of the
capacitors (C1 and C2 = 2C1) in order to fulfil the required reactive power to achieve successfully balanced
excitation. Equation (2) is keenly important which correlates the output power of the generator and the required
excitation capacitor, C1.

(a) Digital
MultiMeter Amplifier

Induction
Generator

Single-
C=45uF
AC M Phase Load

Three Phase Motor Prime Torque

Supply Drive Mover Sensor  
2C = 90uF
 
Fig. 2. Single-phase C2C SEIG (a) experimental setup; (b) schematic with phasor diagram.
196 Mubarak Shah et al. / Energy Procedia 138 (2017) 193–198
4 Mubarak Shah/ Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000

3. Results and Analysis

Given line graphs, illustrate the results and analysis of the three-phase SEIG and single-phase C2C SEIG system.

3.1. Relationship between efficiency and power output for three-phase and single-phase C2C SEIG

The provided Fig. 3(a) describes the relationship between efficiency and output power of three-phase SEIG at
three different speeds of the prime mover (1550 RPM, 1500 RPM, and 1450 RPM) and 40µF capacitors bank.
Initially, the efficiency is directly proportional to the electrical load capacity at a certain constant value of the
excitation capacitor bank. At 0.15kW load, the efficiency of the three-phase SEIG is about 42% of all speed types
with constant capacitors bank of 40µF. The value of the efficiency increases if the electrical load goes higher. For
example, at 1450 RPM, which is a favourable speed limit at the provided capacitors bank of 40µF, the efficiency is
maximum, i.e. 84%, just beyond 0.75 kW. In contrast, the efficiency declines as both the speed and electrical load
goes higher. At 1550 RPM of the prime mover speed, the efficiency is 80% at about 0.96 kW resistive load, because
at such a higher speed and load condition the reactive power supplied by 40µF capacitors bank is not enough.
Therefore, another bank of capacitors called compensation capacitors bank is needed to be switched in order to
supply the increased demand of the reactive power to maintain the efficiency of the system [8, 7].
The following line graph in Fig. 3(b) shows the efficiency and power output relationship for single-phase C2C
SEIG system at three different capacitors bank (35µF, 40µF, and 45µF). In the beginning of the graph, the efficiency
of the system seems to be higher at certain lower load and prime mover speed of 1450 RPM excited by 35µF
capacitor bank. The efficiency of the system increases gradually with the same speed limit of the prime mover if the
load goes higher. In addition, the efficiency of the system at 1500 RPM and 1550 RPM of the prime mover speed
are almost the same but, with a comparatively higher speed more power is dissipated in the load side. In short, the
higher the excitation capacitor, the more power is dissipated with the higher speed of the prime mover.

45uF
35uF

40uF

 
Fig. 3. Efficiency-output power relationship (a) three-phase SEIG; (b) single-phase C2C SEIG.

3.2. Relationship between efficiency and rotor speed for three-phase and single-phase C2C SEIG

Referring to Fig. 4(a) for three-phase SEIG, at certain lower speed (1450 RPM) of the prime mover and at
constant load with 40µF capacitors bank the efficiency of the three-phase SEIG is a little bit higher, still its value
drops smoothly, if the prime mover speed rises.
Furthermore, the efficiency and rotor speed relationship for single-phase C2C SEIG is shown in Fig. 4(b). At
capacitors bank of 40µF and 35µF, for 1450 RPM and 1550 RPM of the prime mover, the efficiency-speed graph
for the two different capacitor bank is linear to each other but less efficient (72-74%) to 45µF capacitor bank.
Induction generator at single-phase C2C balanced condition has higher efficiency at higher capacitor and lower
speed such as at 45µF capacitor bank, around 1 kW load and 1450 RPM speed has the highest efficiency i.e. 88%.
The reason for this much higher efficiency is the reliable speed and capacitor bank. At 1450 RPM speed, the
reactive power supplied by capacitor bank is enough for the load connected to the generator and for the required flux
density at the gap between rotor and stator.
 Mubarak Shah/ Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000 5
Mubarak Shah et al. / Energy Procedia 138 (2017) 193–198 197

Fig. 4. Efficiency-rotor speed relationship (a) three-phase SEIG; (b) single-phase C2C SEIG 

3.3. Transient Switching for 3-phase SEIG and Single-phase C2C SEIG

The following Fig. 5 shows the transient switching behaviour for three-phase and single-phase C2C SEIG
system. The data is recorded for the prime mover speed of 1500 RPM, the load resistance125 Ω with capacitors
bank of 16µF connected in delta for three-phase SEIG and 45µF for single-phase C2C SEIG system. Referring to
Fig. 5, terminal voltage is initially almost zero prior to switching on capacitor bank, however, when capacitor bank
is switched on excitation starts, then terminal voltage rises exponentially and attains steady state at nearly 1 sec and
1.2 sec for three-phase and single-phase C2C SEIG respectively. This steady state remains constant until the load is
applied at t = 0.5 sec for three-phase SEIG and voltage dips to some extent and remains constant. Again, when a
load is removed the terminal voltage is recovered at t = 1.4 sec. At 1.8 sec, when excitation capacitors bank is
switched off, the system goes off at that time and eventually, the system is completely de-excited. The same
phenomenon is repeated in the C2C single-phase SEIG transient switching. During switching, when the load is
applied the generated voltage behaviour is due to the reduced speed of the rotor that can’t supply sufficient required
slip and electromagnetic torque to supply the instantaneous load[9]. Again, when a load is removed rotor speed
increases, at this speed, supply reduced torque on the reduced load.

( a ) Excitation Load Removed

Excitation Capacitor
( b ) Excitation Load Applied Load Removed Excitation Capacitor
with no Load Load Applied with no Load
Removed Removed

Load Applied Load Removed Excitation

Capacitor Removed

Torque Sensor VDC Response Curve During Transient Torque Sensor VDC Response Curve During Transient Switching
Switching

   
Fig. 5. Experimental transient switching (a) three-phase SEIG; (b) single-phase C2C SEIG.

4. Discussion

In micro-hydro or pico-hydro power plants, output voltage and frequency fluctuate continuously that need
stability. The primary reason for such variation in voltage and frequency is the dynamic speed of the rotor caused by
the alteration in the flow of water, and the second reason is the oscillation in the costumer load. In other words,
frequency and IG terminal voltage are directly proportional to the rotor speed and inversely proportional to the
costumer load capacity. Therefore, a controlling method is needed for stable voltage and frequency output. There are
many configurations of ballast load such as thyristor phase controlled ballast load, thyristor switched ballast load
198 Mubarak Shah et al. / Energy Procedia 138 (2017) 193–198
6 Mubarak Shah/ Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000

and high-frequency ballast load. The basic principles of all the methods are same. In all controlling configurations,
variable ballast load is connected along with consumer load. When the consumer load decreases or increases,
voltage sensor and the controller disconnect and connect the ballast load to the IG terminal, respectively. One other
method, called switching method, in which when a runaway phenomenon happens, the excitation capacitor is
disconnected and thus the system is protected [10, 11, 3]. In some cases, a voltage regulator is used to control the
terminal voltage, but this leads to outweigh the system.

5. Conclusion

To sum up, the generator terminal connection and load voltage must be compatible. For example, if generator
stator terminals are connected in the star the load must also be in the star; similarly, if generator terminals are
connected in delta the load needs to be connected in delta, otherwise, a stable operation will not occur because of
insufficient saturation of the machine. Phase sequence is crucial in single-phase C2C system, if the system is
unbalanced the system will heat up, therefore it is significantly important to achieve the balanced condition in order
to protect the system from overheating. Moreover, if the system is unbalanced the efficiency also marginally drops.
On one hand, it is a challenging task to select a proper size excitation capacitor without overloading the winding. On
the other hand, single-phase induction motor is accessible within smaller output power with relatively higher prices
[3, 12].

Acknowledgments

The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) sponsored this work, grant no. R2559B117. Mubarak Shah
would like to offer gratitude to the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), the Thailand Government
for provision of Master Degree scholarship.

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