Offshore Challenges

 Reliability and efficiency

 Reduced number of components and conversion stages
 Modularity of the conversion system

NEW CONVERTER  Weight reduction in the nacelle

 High power density: compact solutions: HF transformers
TOPOLOGIES FOR  HF will give high switching losses in converters
 Component oriented optimization is conflictive with global
OFFSHORE WIND FARMS: optimization
 Generator – converters – transformer – park - transmission
 Optimal design targeting two objectives:
STATE OF THE RESEARCH  Maximize efficiency (identify frequency for best operation of overall
system)
 Maximize power density of conversion system (Minimize weight for a
Marta Molinas Wind Power R&D Seminar: Marta Molinas given power)
NTNU – Jan. 21, 2010 Deep sea offshore wind NTNU – Jan. 21,
2010

Parallel connection Series connection

Marta Molinas Marta Molinas

NTNU – Jan. 21, Losses? Reliability? MPP ? NTNU – Jan. 21, Losses? Reliability? MPP ?
2010 2010

The starting point: motivation

The wind park system
(1)

S. Lundberg, Wind farm configuration and energy efficiency studies - series dc versus ac layouts. Lic. of
C. Meyer, ”Key components for future offshore DC grids,” PhD dissertation, Rheinisch-Westfallischen Eng. thesis, Chalmers University of technology, Goteborg, Sweden, 2006.
Technischen Hochschule Aachen, Germany, 2007
Marta Molinas Marta Molinas
NTNU – Jan 21, 2010 NTNU – Jan. 21,
2009
Reducing the number of conversion
Reduced number of switches
stages
Bi-directional Switches

Direct AC-AC converter Full Bridge

Marta Molinas
NTNU – Nov. 19,
2010

The conversion system: Direct AC

Comparative Investigation
link
 advantages:
N
N

High efficiency,
Long-life time, 1 Back to Back Converter Reference for comparison

Down sizing,
2 Reduced Matrix Converter with Full Bridge
 disadvantages:
Today’s available technology does not
block more than a few kilovolts
No capability for power decoupling
Snubber losses

Marta Molinas Marta Molinas

NTNU – Jan. 21, NTNU – Jan. 21, 2010
2010

Topology 1: Back to back converter Topology 2: Reduced Matrix Converter

(ref) with Full Bridge

IG or PM

Diode bridge with PM

AC AC
AC DC

S. Lundberg, Wind farm configuration and energy efficiency studies - series dc versus ac layouts.
Lic. of Eng. thesis, Chalmers University of technology, Goteborg, Sweden, 2006.
R. L. Steigerwald, R. W. De Doncker, M. H . Kheraluwala, “A Comparison of High-Power DC-DC A. Mogstad, M. Molinas, ”Power collection and integration on the electric grid from offshore wind parks,”
Soft-Switched Converter Topologies,” IEEE Trans. on Industry Aplications, vol. 32, no. 5, Sept. 1996 In proc. NORPIE 2008, June 2008, pp. 21062112.
 Summary of compared Case Study: Efficiency 0.9
Normalized losses of RMC-FB = Loss RMC-FB/Loss Conventional

Topology and modulation technique related losses

Real converter losses with IGBT and RB-IGBT data

topologies Investigation 0.8

0.7

0.6
Topolog Tot HF- RMC-FB
Components Switches
y al Trafo

Normalized losses
0.5

AC3/DC+C+DC/AC1 HF- 14 IGBT

B2B 28 Single-Ph 0.4
T1+AC1/DC 14 Diode
12 RB-IGBT B2B 0.3
AC3/AC1
RMC-FB 4 IGBT 20 Single-Ph
HF-T1+AC1/DC 0.2
4 Diodes
0.1

0
Marta Molinas 5 6 7
Frequency [kHz]
8 9 10

NTNU – Jan. 21,

2010

Potential applications The Liberty 2.5 MW

2.5 MW with 4 conventional

high speed PM generators of
660kW each.

Observations The final objective (PhD-study)

 Conversion stages
 Converter losses
 Capacitor
 Transformer
Several barriers
remain
 High voltage blocking
 Snubber losses
 Not self energized

Marta Molinas Marta Molinas Highest efficiency

Maximum power density
NTNU – Jan. 21, NTNU – Jan. 21,
2010 2010
 Next Steps in this Research Challenges today!

Losses comparison in the studied topologies  Protective devices (DC circuit breaker, bypass,
impact of modulation and operation principle insulation)
loss model extraction
 Electronic transformers
Transient studies:
On-shore three phase fault: use of kinetic energy in the turbine  Collection and conversion plaforms
Loss of one wind turbine (by pass, reconfiguration)
HVDC line fault  High frequency transformers
Operation at reduced AC voltage
 MW scale converters
Implementation of Bi-directional switches with higher voltage blocking
capability for MW units or multi-generator turbine (modular approach)
Multi-domain design approach for high power density and high efficiency
Common denominator:
Laboratory tests of RMC Utilization of power electronics…
Marta Molinas
NTNU – Jan. 21,
2010

Concluding Remarks
 Wind power encompasses several disciplines
For further details
within electrical engineering
http://www.elkraft.ntnu.no/eno/
Follow the link to “Publications”
 In each of them the challenges related to
marta.molinas@elkraft.ntnu.no
integration are different…..and can be
conflictive Speak to me for more recent work…

 It is necessary to take distance and look at the Marta Molinas

Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Energy Conversion Group
challenges from a system perspective Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Trondheim, Norway