Search Results (4)

This paper presents the implementation of a fuzzy control strategy for speed regulation of an electromagnetic frequency regulator (EFR) prototype, aiming to eliminate the dependence on knowledge of physical parameters in the most diverse operating conditions. Speed multiplication is one of the most important steps in wind power generation. Gearboxes are generally used for this purpose. However, they have a reduced lifespan and a high failure rate, and are still noise sources. The search for new ways to match the speed (and torque) between the turbine and the generator is an important research area to increase the energy, financial, and environmental efficiency of wind systems. The EFR device is an example of an alternative technology that this team of researchers has proposed. It considers the main advantages of an induction machine with the rotor in a squirrel cage positively. In the first studies, the EFR control strategy consisted of the conventional PID controllers, which have several limitations that are widely discussed in the literature. This strategy also limits the EFR’s performance, considering its entire operating range. The simulation program was developed using the Matlab/Simulink platform, while the experimental results were obtained in the laboratory emulating the EFR-based system. The EFR prototype has 2 poles, a nominal power of 2.2 kW, and a nominal frequency of 60 Hz. Experimental results were presented to validate the efficiency of the proposed control strategy. Full article

The electromagnetic frequency regulator (EFR) device has proven to be an attractive solution for driving grid-connected electrical generators in distributed generation (DG) systems based on renewable energy sources (RES). However, the dynamic characteristic of the EFR has not yet been discussed for cases where its parameters vary from the nominal values. To evaluate this issue, this paper proposes a method for transient and steady-state performance analysis applied to the EFR device considering parametric variations. To perform this analysis, a dynamic model of the EFR device is derived, and its dynamic characteristics are discussed. Based on this model, the system’s controller gains are designed by using the root-locus method (RLM) to obtain the desired dynamic performance. Then, a sensitivity analysis of the closed-loop poles under the effect of parameters variation is performed. In addition, the paper also presents an analysis of the EFR-based system operating with the designed controllers. The proposed theoretical analysis is assessed using simulation and experimental results. The simulation program was developed using a Matlab/Simulink platform, while the experimental results were obtained through a laboratory setup emulating the EFR-based system. Full article

The power quality analysis is an essential issue in the integration of distributed energy resources to the grid. Recent standards regulate the harmonics disturbances due to the increasing penetration of intermittent energy sources interconnected with the grid employing power converters. This paper aims to analyze the power quality of an interconnected wind turbine system based on a Squirrel Cage Induction Generator (SCIG) driven by an Electromagnetic Frequency Regulator (EFR). The steady state of the EFR harmonic model is developed in the stationary frame based on the conventional induction generator modeling, which allows the study of the harmonic disturbances in the electrical and mechanical variables due to the PWM inverter of the EFR’s armature voltage. There is no electrical connection between the EFR and SCIG, and the results show that the inherent system inertia contributes to the mitigation of the harmonic content at the grid side generated by the switching. In addition to the steady-state results, the Total Rated Distortion (TRD), which considers the harmonics and interharmonics components, was computed and presented a good performance compared to the IEEE 1547 standard and real data extracted of a single Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG). Finally, the harmonic performance of the proposed system was evaluated considering the impact of the equivalent Thevenin impedance of the grid at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC). Full article

A new topology was recently developed to drive generators, aiming to avoid power electronic devices directly connected to the grid, and making possible the hybridization of the wind power with other sources. The system is composed by an induction machine with rotor in squirrel cage, and a rotating armature endowed with a three-phase winding that may be fed by a secondary source. The previous purpose was to convert a variable velocity imposed by the wind turbine to the armature in a constant velocity to be developed by the cage rotor, driving a shaft of synchronous generator. This article proposes the use of an induction generator instead of a synchronous one in order to explore the maximum available wind energy (MPPT). The simulation results show that the proposed topology is viable and supports both variations in wind speed and disturbances in power grid. Full article