Three Phase Self-Excited Induction Generator

for Renewable Energy Generation

1
M. Faisal Khan, 2M. Rizwan Khan, 3Kouzou Abdellah
1
EES, University Polytechnic, Aligarh Muslim University, India-202002
2
Department of Electrical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, India-202002
3
Faculty of Science & Technology, Djelfa University, Algeria
1
mfaisal_khan@yahoo.com, 2rizwan.eed@gmail.com,3kouzouabdellah@ieee.org

Renewable energy generation has emerged as a thrust area in energy technologies in the recent times.
Amongst various generation systems based on renewable sources, wind electricity generation has
proved to be most beneficial. One of the most important aspects for such applications is choice of
generator. The self excited induction generators (SEIGs) are considered to be most suitable generating
devices for wind and mini/micro hydro generation due to their rugged and maintenance free
construction. This paper presents steady state analysis of a three phase self excited induction generator
for wind energy application. The simulations are carried out by generating programs in MATLAB M-
file to obtain various performance characteristics of the developed three phase SEIG model. A detailed
discussion is carried out on different operational aspects of these machines on the basis of reported
results.

Keywords
«Self excited induction generator », «Renewable energy», «Steady state analysis», «Variable power
factor», «MATLAB»

Abstract
Symbol Description
RL Load resistance (ohms)
Rs Main winding resistance (stator resistance)of (ohms)
Rr Rotor resistance (ohms)
Cex Excitation capacitance (µF)
Xex Reactance of the excitation capacitance (ohms)
XL Inductive reactance of load (ohms)
Xls Leakage reactance of stator winding (ohms)
Xlr Leakage reactance of rotor winding (ohms)
Xm Magnetizing reactance (ohms)
fpu Per unit frequency
n Per unit speed
Imw Stator or Main winding current of SEIG (amps)
IL Load current (amps)
Vg Air gap voltage (volts)
Vt Per phase terminal load voltage (volts)
Pout Output power (watts)
ZL Load impedance (ohms)
ǁ Parallel connection
ɸ Power factor angle
 I. Introduction
Three phase Self Excited Induction Generators (SEIGs) find vast application in renewable energy
generation. Their suitability for such applications is driven from being extremely rugged, relatively
maintenance free and cost effective generating devices [1]. Apart from these attributes they possess an
excellent inherent capability of self protection against over loads and short circuits as any such
transient condition leads to break of excitation and hence the voltage collapses across its terminals
almost instantaneously.
They are especially suited for wind turbine generation systems both for onshore and offshore modes of
operations and are capable of working in grid connected as well as standalone modes. However, their
main area of application is found to be off grid energy generation for feeding loads such as small
isolated communities and the populations located in far off stretches away from the main stream grids.
The SEIGs are incapable of generating reactive power [2] rather they consume it as unlike
synchronous generators, they are not equipped with exciters. Thus, main design constraint with these
machines is providing a tangible mean for fulfilling the reactive power requirement. When operating
in standalone mode, the most suitable way of supplying their reactive power is by means of terminal
capacitors connected across each phase winding [3]. Equipped with the shunt capacitors, a three phase
SEIGs is able to successfully build its terminal voltage as soon as it is driven at or near synchronous
speed.
In self excitation mode of operation the foremost consideration in the modeling of SEIGs involves
selection of optimum shunt capacitance which is able to build the voltage up-to optimum level.
However, its importance vis-à-vis machine operation is limited to enabling the SEIG to generate rated
voltage on no-load. The optimum shunt capacitance, therefore, has no effect what so ever on the
voltage regulation of a three phase SEIG.
There are a number of approaches available for the mathematical modeling of SEIGs which may be
classified as: the d-q model, loop impedance model, branch admittance model and the operational
circuit based models. All these approaches have been successfully applied in many earlier reported
works [4-9]. The d-q modeling approach is used for the analysis of dynamic behavior of SEIGs [4-6].
The impedance model [7] and the admittance model [8] are largely used for steady state analysis of
SEIGs. Another approach introduces operational circuit based analysis [9] wherein the frequency f in
the model is replaced by a new operator in terms of time derivative of ω i.e, the angular velocity.
In this analysis loop impedance approach is adopted by writing loop equation from the steady state
equivalent circuit and separating the real and imaginary parts of the equation into non-linear equations.
Conventionally, these equations are solved by applying numerical methods to determine the unknowns
in terms of per unit frequency, fpu and the magnetizing reactance Xm [10]. However, obtaining
numerical solution could be cumbersome even with various powerful tools available presently. In this
paper the SEIG analysis is carried out by reducing the high order non-linear equations derived from
circuit impedances into simple quadratic equation to calculate the per unit frequency, fpu and the
magnetizing reactance, Xm which are then used in tandem with the magnetizing characteristic of SEIG
to carry out performance analysis, thereby simplifying the analysis to a large extent. The simulation
programming approach is implemented by generating programs in MATLAB M-file [11] for the
analysis. Programming based approach is found to be more flexible and easy to comprehend as against
the ones based on various tools.

II. Modeling and Description of SEIG

The steady state per phase model of a self excited induction generator used for present analysis is
depicted in Fig. 1[10].
 Fig. 1: Per phase equivalent circuit of a SEIG.

The performance analysis of SEIG is possible once a mathematical model is available. For this
purpose, loop impedance method is pursued which essentially requires writing KVL equation for the
incorporating various impedances of the circuit. Thus, the loop equation for the circuit of Fig. 1 is
given as:
Imw*(ZCA+ZCD+ZAB) =0. (1)
Where,
ZCA=Rs/fpu+jXls
ZCD=(-jXex/fpu2) ǁ (RL/fpu+jXL)
ZAB=(jXm) ǁ (Rr/(fpu-n)+jXlr)

For the successful voltage buildup of SEIG, the main winding current, Imw should not be equal to zero.
Therefore from Eqn. 1 the circuit’s loop impedance is equated to 0.
Thus,
(ZCA+ZCD+ZAB)=0 (2)
Eqn. 2 is a standard equation utilized for the SEIG analysis. If the real and imaginary parts of Eqn. 2
are separately equated to zero, two equations in-terms of per unit frequency, fpu and the magnetizing
reactance Xm , are obtained as follows [10,12]:

α7fpu7+α6fpu6+ α5fpu5+α4fpu4+α3fpu3+α2fpu2+α1fpu+α0 = 0 (3)

constants α0- α7 are given in Appendix-I[10,12,13]

Xm=[{(Xls-ZCDi)2+((ZCDr+(Rs/f))2))(Xlr2+(Rr/(f-n))2)}/{(ZCDi-Xls)(Xlr2+(Rr/(f-n))2)-Xlr*((Xls-
ZCDi)2+((ZCDr+(Rs/f))2)}] (4)
Where,
ZCDr=Re{ZCD}
ZCDi=Im{ZCD}
In most of the reported works on SEIG[1,10,13,17] Eqn. (3) is solved using any of the numerical
methods or optimization tools to obtain fpu which is the placed in Eqn. (4) to get Xm and usual
equations are solved to achieve the performance analysis. However, accurate solution of Eqn. 3 is a
complex task requiring tiresome and lengthy program codes/models.
Under operating conditions the difference between per unit frequency, fpu and the per unit speed, n of a
SEIG is negligible [13,14]. Considering, this practical aspect a parameter ζ may be defined as:
ζ= fpu-n. (5)
Wherein ζ is a very miniscule value, thus from above the per unit frequency, fpu may be replaced in
Eqn. 3 by the following new expression.
fpu= ζ+n. (6)
Further considering the fact that values of ζx for all x>2 shall be negligibly small; all such values can
be neglected. Thus, putting Eqn. (6) in Eqn. (3), the Eqn. 3 reduces to a quadratic in terms of ζ [12,15]:
B2ζ2+B1ζ +B0=0 (7)
constants B0, B1and B2 are defined in Appendix-II [12].
From Eqn. (7), the parameter ζ may be calculated as follows:

ζ = − B − B − 4B B /2B (8)

Knowing the value of ζ, the task of calculating fpu becomes straight forward from Eqn. (6) for a given
per unit speed, n.
Putting the calculated fpu in Eqn. (4) Xm can be found for the given loading condition.

Along with the knowledge of fpu and Xm the magnetizing characteristic of SEIG is essential for the
performance evaluation. The magnetizing characteristic yields relationship between air gap voltage Vg
and the magnetizing reactance, Xm of the machine. For the present study the relationship between
Vg/fpu ( i.e, the air gap voltage normalized to base frequency) and Xm has been obtained by performing
synchronous speed test [16]. The data yielded by the test is plotted in MATLAB and the curve so
obtained gave the following relation upon linear curve fitting through basic fit option.

Vg/fpu= 400-2.6Xm. (9)

With the values of fpu and Vg known for different loading conditions, the performance calculations are
performed by writing following equations from the equivalent circuit of Fig. 1.

V
f
I = (10)
Z +Z

X #$
−j
f
I = I (11)
R X
+ j &X − #$ '
f f

V( = f I Z (12)

P* ( = 3I R (13)

III. Results and Discussion

In order to make a detailed performance analysis of SEIG through developed model it is subjected to
both resistive as well as inductive loads. The load resistance and reactance i.e., RL and XL for this
purpose are being modeled through load power factor and impedance. Thus, all loading conditions are
effectively simulated by putting RL=ZLCosɸ and XL=ZLSinɸ in the model. The flowchart of Matlab
simulation program is given in Appendix-IV.

III.1 Resistive Load

For resistive loading the pf i.e., Cosɸ is set as 1 in the model. The results obtained under resistive
loading are depicted in Figs. 2 to 5.
 300
41 µF
43 µF
250 45 µF
50 µF

200

h
t(volts/p ase)
150
V

100

50

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800
Pout (watts)

Fig. 2: Terminal load voltage versus output power at different excitation capacitance.
300
50 µF
45 µF
250 43 µF
41 µF

200
t(volts/phase)

150
V

100

50

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
IL (amps)

Fig. 3: Terminal load voltage versus load current at different excitation capacitance.
4
50 µF
3.5 45 µF
43 µF
41 µF
3

2.5
IL(amps)

1.5

0.5

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800
Pout (watts)

Fig. 4: Load current versus output power at different excitation capacitance.

6

41 µF
5 43 µF
45 µF
50 µF
4
w(amps)

3
Im

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800
Pout (watts)

Fig. 5: Main winding or stator current versus output power at different excitation capacitance.

The plot of Fig. 2 illustrates external characteristic of SEIG at different excitation capacitances. It
could be observed by an immediate glance on the figure that for all capacitances the SEIG is
exhibiting very injudicious voltage regulation. Furthermore, the rated no-load voltage of 230 V is
being generated at 43 µF capacitance. Any capacitance less than this fails to generate the rated no-load
voltage as shown by the curve plotted at 41 µF, while higher values of excitation capacitance yield no-
load voltage higher than 230 V. Thus for present machine 43 µF is found to be an optimum value of
excitation capacitance. Moreover, it is quite evident from all the curves that SEIG is unable to
maintain an acceptable voltage regulation. The SEIG is delivering full load power at a voltage
regulation of about 26% for each capacitance which is not quite satisfactory. Fig. 3 shows the behavior
of terminal load voltage with respect to load current, while Figs. 4 and 5 depict responses of load
current and stator current respectively with respect to output power.

III.2 Inductive Load

For all practical purposes it is important that response of a generating machine is assessed under
variable power factor loading. In order to achieve this aspect for present case, the SEIG is subjected to
loads of different power factors to analyze its response. The simulation results illustrated from Figs. 6
to 9 show SEIGs response to the loads of different power factors at an excitation capacitance of 43 µF
and per unit speed of 1. The results have been obtained at 0.9, 0.8 and 0.75 lagging power factors by
substituting Cosɸ accordingly in the simulation program.
300

0.9
250
0.8
0.75
200
h
t(volts/pase)

150
V

100

50

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
Pout (watts)

Fig. 6: Terminal load voltage versus output power at different power factors and 43µF
excitation capacitance.
300

250 0.9
0.8
0.75
200
h
t(volts/pase)

150
V

100

50

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
IL (amps)

Fig. 7: Terminal load voltage versus load current at different power factors and 43µF
excitation capacitance.
0.9
1.2
0.8
0.75
1

0.8
IL(amps)

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
Pout (watts)

Fig. 8: Load current versus output power at different power factors and 43µF excitation
capacitance.
 3.5

3 0.9
0.8
0.75
2.5

w(amps)
2

Im
1.5

0.5

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
Pout (watts)

Fig. 9: Main winding or stator current versus output power at different power factors and 43µF
excitation capacitance.
300
unity
0.9
250 0.8
0.75

200
h
t(volts/p ase)

150
V

100

50

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Pout (watts)

Fig. 10: Terminal load voltage versus output power at different power factors and 43 µF
excitation capacitance.

It is quite evident from Fig. 6 that with inductive load connected to the SEIG terminals the output
voltage collapse occurs progressively earlier for the decreasing power factor. This essentially refers to
the fact that steady state loading limit of the SEIG is decreasing as it is operated at lower power
factors, while its voltage regulation has worsened to about 30%. Fig. 7 illustrates change in terminal
voltage with load current from no-load to full load for each of the three power factors. Figs. 8 and 9
depict behaviors of SEIG currents for each of three power factors considered. Fig. 10 shows the
generation patterns of SEIG at different lagging power factors plotted with optimum capacitance of
43µF. The figure quite explicitly demonstrates how the maximum power output of the SEIG changes
drastically when the inductive load of 0.9 power factor is connected compared to unity pf load. At the
same time this change becomes gradual in the lower power factor range. Thus, in the absence of a
suitable compensator it is almost impossible to operate inductive loads on SEIG.

III.3 SEIG Behavior at different speeds

The characteristic of Fig. 11 depicts plot of no-load terminal voltage of SEIG corresponding to
different excitation capacitances under variable speed operation. It could be seen from the
characteristic that as soon as speed decreases to 1400 rpm from the base speed of 1500 rpm the
optimum capacitance required to generate 230 V is immediately inflated to about 54.8 µF. Reverse
happens when the speed is increased in the same proportion to 1600 rpm under which condition the
capacitance requirement for generating rated no-load voltage reduces to about 35.5 µF which is further
reduced to 30 µF at 1700 rpm. Thus, as is evident the SEIG voltage is very sensitive to changes in
speed in terms of capacitance requirements. Although, the change in capacitance is much more
pronounced when the speed is reduced as against when it is increased.
 400
1400 rpm
1500 rpm
350
1600 rpm

se)
1700 rpm

a
300

o h
lts/p
250
g
ltae(v
200
o
dV

150
o o
-La

100
N

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Cex (µF)

Fig. 11: Variation of SEIG no load voltage with excitation capacitance at different speeds.

IV. Conclusion
A simplified approach for the analysis of a three phase self-excited induction generator is presented.
The calculation of per unit frequency is achieved simply by solving a quadratic equation deduced in
terms of machine parameters instead of conventional approach of applying numerical methods. This
has lead to the reduction in complexity involved with the modeling to a great extent. The simulation
results have been obtained by generating programs in MATLAB M-file. The foremost design
consideration with SEIGs happens to be the selection of optimum excitation capacitance. The
optimum excitation capacitance for present case is evaluated through a series of performance
characteristics. Consequently, a detailed performance analysis is reported both for resistive as well as
inductive loads of different power factors. It is observed that both for resistive a well as inductive
loads the SEIG is unable to maintain the voltage regulation within acceptable limits. In case of
inductive loads apart from the voltage regulation the SEIG’s steady state loading limit is severely
affected as the voltage collapses progressively earlier as the power factor is reduced.
Appendix-I
α0 = -n*Rr*Xex2 (RL + Rs)2;
α1 = Rr *Xex2 (RL+ Rs)2 + Xex2(Rr2+ n2X lr 2 )(RL + Rs);
α2 = -n*Rr[Xex2(XL + Xs)2 -2*Xls*Xex(RL2 + Rs2) + Rs2*RL2]-2*n*Xlr2*Xex2 (RL+ Rs);
α3 = Rr[X2ex (XL + Xls)2 -2*Xex (XlsRL2 + XLRs 2) + Rs2*RL2]+Xlr2*Xex2 (RL + Rs)+ Rs(Rr2+n2Xlr2 )(RL2 -
2XL*Xex );
α4 = -n*Rr[Xls2 (RL2 -2*XL*Xex) + XL2(Rs2 -2*Xs*Xex )]-2*n*Xlr2 *Rs(RL2 -2XL*Xex);
α5 = Rr[Xls2 (RL2 -2*XL*Xex ) +XL2(Rs2 -2*Xls*Xex )]+ Xlr2*Rs(RL2 -2*XL*Xex)+Rs*XL2(Rr2 + n2*Xlr2 );
α6 = -n*XL2(Rr*Xls2 + 2*Rs*Xlr2 );
α7 = XL2(Rr*Xls2 + Rs*Xlr2 ).

Appendix-II
B0=(Rs*XL2*Rr2)*n5+(Rr2*(Rs*RL2-2*XL*Xex*Rs))*n3 +(Rr2* (Xex2*R+ Xex2*Rs))*n.
B1=b11+b12+b13.
b11=(Rr*(Xls*XL)2)*n6+(Rr*(-2*XL*Xex*Xls2- 2*Xls*Xex*XL2+ (Rs*XL)2+ (Xls*R)2+5*Rr*Rs*XL2))*n4.
b12=(Rr*((Rs*RL)2-2*XL*Xex*Rs2+(Xls*Xex)2+2*Xls.*Xex2*XL-2*Xls*Xex *RL2-
6*Rr*XL*Xex*Rs+(Xex*XL)2+3*Rr+Rs*RL2))*n2.
b13=Rr*(Rr*Xex2*RL+Rr*Xex2*Rs+2*Xex2*RL*Rs+(Xex*RL)2+(Xex*Rs)2).
B2=b21+b22+b23.
b21=XL2*(Xlr2*Rs+6*Xls2*Rr)*n5.
b22=(-8*Rr*Xls*XL*Xex*(Xls+XL)+4*Rr*((Xls*R)2 +(XL*Rs)2 +Rs*Rr2* (10*XL2+Xlr2)-
2*Xlr2*XL*Xex*Rs))*n3.
b23=(2*Rr*(Xex*XL)2+2*Rr*(Rs*RL)2-4*Rr*XL*Xex*Rs2+ 2* Rr* (Xls* Xex)2+4*Rr*Xls*Xex2*XL-
4*Rr*Xls*Xex*RL2+(Xlr*Xex)2 *RL+ (Xlr*Xex)2 *Rs+3*(Rr*RL)2*Rs-6*Rr2*Rs*XL*Xex)*n.
 Appendix-III

Parameters of Induction Motor used as SEIG

3 phase, Y-connected, 2.2 kW, 400 V, 5.2 A, 4-pole, 50-Hz, squirrel-cage induction motor,
Rs=2.1Ω, Rr=2.4 Ω, Xlr=4.5 Ω, Xls=4.2 Ω.

Appendix-IV

Flowchart of the Matlab program

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