Search Results (111)

Achieving sustainable energy goals requires efficient integration of renewables like wind energy. Doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind turbine systems (WTSs) operate efficiently across a range of speeds, making them well-suited for modern renewable energy systems. However, sudden wind speed variations can cause power oscillations, rotor speed fluctuations, and voltage instability. Traditional proportional–integral (PI) controllers struggle with such nonlinear, rapidly changing scenarios. A control approach utilizing support vector regression (SVR) is proposed for the DFIG wind turbine system. The SVR controller manages both active and reactive power by simultaneously controlling the rotor- and grid-side converters (RSC and GSC). Simulations under a sudden wind speed variation from 10 to 12 m per second show the SVR approach reduces settling time significantly (up to 70.3%), suppresses oscillations in rotor speed, torque, and power output, and maintains over 97% DC-link voltage stability. These improvements enhance power quality, reliability, and system performance, demonstrating the SVR controller’s superiority over conventional PI methods for variable-speed wind energy systems. Full article

This work proposes an effective control technique for enhancing the stability of Doubly Fed Induction Generator-Based Wind Turbines (DFIG-WTs) connected to the grid during voltage sag and swell events, ensuring the reliable and efficient operation of wind energy systems integrated with the grid. The proposed approach integrates a Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) in series with a Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) output terminal to enhance the Fault Ride-Through (FRT) capability during grid disturbances. To develop a flexible control strategy for both unbalanced and balanced fault conditions, a combination of feedforward and feedback control based on a sliding mode control (SMC) for DVR converters is used. This hybrid strategy allows for precise voltage regulation, enabling the series compensator to inject the required voltage into the grid, thereby ensuring constant generator terminal voltages even during faults. The SMC enhances the system’s robustness by providing fast, reliable regulation of the injected voltage, effectively mitigating the impact of grid disturbances. To further enhance system performance, Model Predictive Control (MPC) is implemented for the Rotor-Side Converter (RSC) within the back-to-back converter (BTBC) configuration. The main advantages of the predictive control method include eliminating the need for linear controllers, coordinate transformations, or modulators for the converter. Additionally, it ensures the stable operation of the generator even under severe operating conditions, enhancing system robustness and dynamic response. To validate the proposed control strategy, a comprehensive simulation is conducted using a 2 MW DFIG-WT connected to a 120 kV grid. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed control approach successfully limits overcurrent in the RSC, maintains electromagnetic torque and DC-link voltage within their rated values, and dynamically regulates reactive power to mitigate voltage sags and swells. This allows the WTG to continue operating at its nominal capacity, fully complying with the strict requirements of modern grid codes and ensuring reliable grid integration. Full article

Split-shaft wind turbines decouple the turbine’s shaft from the generator’s shaft, enabling several modifications in the drivetrain. One of the significant achievements of a split-shaft drivetrain is the reduction in size of the excitation circuit. The grid-side converter is eliminated, and the rotor-side converter can safely reduce its size to a fraction of a full-size excitation. Therefore, this low-power-rated converter operates at low voltage and handles regular operations well. However, fault conditions may expose weaknesses in the converter and push it to its limits. This paper investigates the effects of the reduced-size rotor-side converter on the voltage ride-through capabilities required from all wind turbines. Four different protection circuits, including the active crowbar, active crowbar along a resistor–inductor circuit (C-RL), series dynamic resistor (SDR), and new-bridge fault current limiter (NBFCL), are employed, and their effects are investigated and compared. Wind turbine controllers are also utilized to reduce the impact of faults on the power electronic converters. One effective method is to store excess energy in the generator’s rotor. The proposed low-voltage ride-through strategies are simulated in MATLAB Simulink (2022b) to validate the results and demonstrate their effectiveness and functionality. Full article

Aiming at the transient overcurrent problem faced by doubly-fed induction generators (DFIGs) during continuous voltage fault ride-through, a segmented control strategy based on the rotor side converter (RSC) is proposed. First, through theoretical analysis of the relationship between stator current and transient induced electromotive force (EMF) in each stage of continuous faults, a feedforward control strategy based on the transient component of stator current is proposed. The observable stator current is extracted for its transient component, which is used as a rotor voltage compensation term to effectively counteract the influence of transient EMF. Meanwhile, a fuzzy control algorithm is introduced during the low voltage ride-through (LVRT) stage to dynamically adjust the virtual resistance value, enhancing the system’s damping characteristics. Studies show that this strategy significantly suppresses rotor current spikes in all stages of voltage ride-through. Finally, simulation results verify that the proposed method improves the ride-through performance of DFIG under continuous voltage faults. Full article

The sub-synchronous oscillation (SSO) characteristics and suppression strategies of a hybrid system comprising doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind turbines and synchronous pumped storage units connected to the power grid via series-compensated transmission lines are analyzed. A modular modeling approach is used to construct a detailed system model, including the wind turbine shaft system, DFIG, converter control system, synchronous machine, excitation system, power system stabilizer (PSS), and series-compensated transmission lines. Eigenvalue calculation-based small-signal stability analysis is conducted to identify the dominant oscillation modes. Suppression measures are also developed using relative participation analysis, and simulations are carried out to validate the accuracy of the model and analysis method. The analysis results indicate that the SSO phenomenon is primarily influenced by the electrical state variables of the DFIG system, while the impact of the state variables of the synchronous machine is relatively minor. When the level of series compensation in the system increases, SSO is significantly exacerbated. To address this issue, a sub-synchronous damping controller (SSDC) is incorporated on the rotor side of the DFIG. The results demonstrate that this method effectively mitigates the SSO and significantly enhances the system’s robustness against disturbances. Furthermore, a simplified modeling approach is proposed based on relative participation analysis. This method neglects the dynamic characteristics of the synchronous machine while considering its impact on the steady-state impedance and initial conditions of the model. These findings provide theoretical guidance and practical insights for addressing and mitigating SSO issues in hybrid renewable energy systems composed of DFIGs and synchronous machines. Full article

The present study investigates the control strategy of a novel doubled-fed induction generator (DFIG) with a series grid-side converter (SGSC) during grid faults. The rotor-side inverter is subject to a control strategy derived from the Model Predictive Current Control (MPCC) theory, which is implemented during periods of fault occurrence; for the series grid-side converter, the positive and negative sequence component control is implemented during both steady state and fault periods to enhance system stability and performance. The proposed coordinated control strategy is implemented on a doubly fed turbine with SGSC, while taking into account different degrees of symmetric and asymmetric faults to further evaluate the efficacy of the proposed method. The results of the simulations demonstrate the efficacy of the model-predictive current control scheme applied to the rotor-side converter under conditions of asymmetric faults. This enables the suppression of a range of phenomena, including rotor overcurrent, stator overcurrent, and overvoltage, electromagnetic torque ripple, and DC bus voltage during low-voltage ride-through (LVRT), among others. The present study confirms the viability of implementing positive and negative sequences of voltage separation control in the SGSC during both grid faults and steady state. This approach is expected to minimize the switching of SGSC control strategies and thereby reduce output power fluctuations. The Rotor Side Converter (RSC) and SGSC can perform coordinated control during faults, and the proposed method is able to improve low-voltage ride-through performance compared to existing methods, thereby preventing damage to the converter under multiple fault conditions. Full article

DFIG rotor windings face high stress and transients from back-to-back converters, causing inter-turn short circuit (ITSC) faults. Rapid rotor-side dynamics, combined with the unique capability of DFIG to operate in multiple modes, make the fault detection in rotor windings more challenging. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for online ITSC fault diagnosis in DFIG rotor windings based on zero-sequence current (ZSC) component analysis under variable operating conditions. Fault features are identified and defined through the analytical evaluation of the DFIG mathematical model. Further, a simple yet effective algorithm is presented for online implementation of the proposed methodology. Finally, the simulation of the DFIG model is carried out in MATLAB/Simulink under both sub-synchronous and super-synchronous modes, covering a range of variable loads and low-frequency conditions, along with different fault severity levels of ITSC in rotor windings. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed methodology for online ITSC fault detection at a low-severity stage and precise location identification of the faulty phase within the DFIG rotor windings under both sub-synchronous and super-synchronous modes. Full article

Power network codes necessitate that any renewable source aligns with LVRT rules and assists in voltage restoration during voltage dips. This paper focuses on increasing the low-voltage ride through capability of a doubly fed induction generator-based wind turbine. Three different controllers are discussed in this article. The first is based on robust super-twisting sliding mode control, which is a recent robust control technique. The second uses a new metaheuristic optimizer called the Arctic Puffin optimizer (APO), and the third relies on the traditional PI controller. The grid-side converter sustains the potential of the DC converter link and the regulation of both the active and reactive power supplied to the power grid via three controllers. The rotor-side converter regulates the generator’s electromagnetic torque via two controllers. Doubly fed induction generator control is a challenging task as the two converters have five controllers, and it is vital to specify the ideal parameters for each controller. In the case of super-twisting sliding mode control, the APO is utilized to obtain the sliding surfaces needed for the five controllers. Moreover, the APO is exploited to obtain the optimal constants of the suggested PI regulators. The simulation results prove the excellent performance of both super-twisting- and APO-based controllers, with better performance demonstrated with super-twisting sliding mode control, which demonstrates excellent transient performance with the least overshoot among the three controllers. The super-twisting-based controller has a distinct feature, as it has good performance with parameter variations. Full article

The full-size converter-based variable-speed pumped storage unit (FSC-VSPSU) is widely regarded as the future direction of variable-speed pumped storage technology due to its wide operating range and fast switching capabilities. However, previous studies often assume a constant DC-link voltage, which is not applicable to FSC-VSPSU, as fluctuations in grid-side active power can affect the DC-link voltage, thereby threatening system stability. To address this issue, this article proposes a crowbar-less low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) control strategy for FSC-VSPSU. The proposed approach effectively mitigates the elevated system costs inherent in conventional crowbar circuit implementations by harnessing the significant energy storage potential of the rotor to absorb power imbalances during LVRT. Furthermore, a novel parameter design methodology for the DC-link voltage controller is introduced to guarantee that the DC-link voltage consistently remains within the allowable threshold range during LVRT. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy and the accuracy of the parameter design methodology have been validated through MATLAB(R2023a)/Simulink. Full article

The bacterial flagellum, a complex nanomachine composed of numerous proteins, is utilized by bacteria for swimming in various environments and plays a crucial role in their survival and infection. The flagellar motor is composed of a rotor and stator complexes, with each stator unit functioning as an ion channel that converts flow from outside of cell membrane into rotational motion. Paenibacillus sp. TCA20 was discovered in a hot spring, and a structural analysis was conducted on the stator complex using cryo-electron microscopy to elucidate its function. Two of the three structures (Classes 1 and 3) were found to have structural properties typical for other stator complexes. In contrast, in Class 2 structures, the pentamer ring of the A subunits forms a C-shape, with lauryl maltose neopentyl glycol (LMNG) bound to the periplasmic side of the interface between the A and B subunits. This interface is conserved in all stator complexes, suggesting that hydrophobic ligands and lipids can bind to this interface, a feature that could potentially be utilized in the development of novel antibiotics aimed at regulating cell motility and infection. Full article

Wind energy is essential for promoting sustainability and renewable power solutions. However, ensuring stability and consistent performance in DFIG-based wind turbine systems (WTSs) remains challenging due to rapid wind speed variations, grid disturbances, and parameter uncertainties. These fluctuations result in power instability, increased overshoot, and prolonged settling times, negatively impacting grid compliance and system efficiency. Conventional proportional-integral (PI) controllers are simple and effective in steady-state conditions, but they lack adaptability in dynamic situations. Similarly, artificial intelligence (AI)-based controllers, such as fuzzy logic controllers (FLCs) and artificial neural networks (ANNs), improve adaptability but suffer from high computational demands and training complexity. To address these limitations, this paper presents a hybrid adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)-PI controller for DFIG-based WTS. The proposed controller integrates fuzzy logic adaptability with neural network-based learning, allowing real-time optimization of control parameters. Implemented within the rotor-side converter (RSC) and grid-side converter (GSC), ANFIS enhances reactive power management, grid compliance, and overall system stability. The system was tested under a step wind speed signal varying from 10 m/s to 12 m/s to evaluate its robustness. The simulation results confirmed that the ANFIS-PI controller significantly improved performance compared with the conventional PI controller. Specifically, it reduced rotor speed overshoot by 3%, torque overshoot by 12.5%, active power overshoot by 2%, and DC link voltage overshoot by 20%. Additionally, the ANFIS-PI controller shortened settling time by 50% for rotor speed, by 25% for torque, by 33% for active power, and by 16.7% for DC link voltage, ensuring faster stabilization, enhanced dynamic response, and greater efficiency. These improvements establish the ANFIS-PI controller as an advanced, computationally efficient, and scalable solution for enhancing the reliability of DFIG-based WTS, facilitating seamless integration of wind energy into modern power grids. Full article

With the increase in reliance on doubly fed induction generator-based wind energy conversion systems (DFIG-WECSs), extracting maximum power from wind energy and enhancing fault ride-through (FRT) techniques meeting the grid code requirements is the foremost concern. This paper proposes a modified control scheme that operates in normal running conditions and during faults as a dual mode. The proposed control scheme operates in a coordinated wind speed estimation-based maximum power point tracking (WSE-MPPT) mode during normal running conditions to extract maximum power from wind energy and enhances the crowbar rotor active impedance-based FRT mode during faults. The proposed technique controls the rotor side converter (RSC) parameters during faults by limiting the transient surge in the rotor and stator currents. In this study, the transient behavior of the proposed technique is analyzed under a three-phase symmetrical fault with a severe voltage dip, and it is observed that, when the fault is over and the RSC is activated and connected to the system, a large inrush current is produced with transient oscillations; the proposed scheme suppresses this post-fault inrush current and limits the transient oscillation. During the FRT operating mode under a symmetrical fault, the simulation results of the proposed technique are validated by the conventional crowbar strategy. In contrast, during the WSE-MPPT operating mode under normal running conditions, a smooth achievement of system parameters after starting the inrush period to a steady state at fixed wind speed is observed. Full article

With the escalating proliferation of wind power plants, the imperative focus on system robustness and stability intensifies. Doubly fed induction machines (DFIMs) are extensively employed in land-based wind power plants due to their performance advantages. While the stator windings are directly connected to the power system, the rotor windings are connected via power converters, making these units vulnerable to voltage disturbances. During faults, voltage drops at the stator terminals lead to elevated voltages and currents on the rotor side due to electromagnetic coupling between stator and rotor, potentially damaging rotor insulation and costly power electronics. Historically, wind power plants employing DFIMs were disconnected from the grid during faults—an unsatisfactory solution given the burgeoning number of these installations. Consequently, grid operators and IEEE standard 2800 mandate fault ride-through (FRT) capabilities to maintain system stability during disturbances. This paper provides a short review of the existing techniques for protecting DFIMs during faults, focusing on both passive and active protection methods. Additionally, a simple calculation is presented to compare two different protection strategies, illustrating the differences in their effectiveness. The review emphasizes the necessity for developing models that represent all protection methods for DFIMs, due to the clear differences in the results obtained. Full article

This paper addresses the challenge of developing a cost-effective and efficient soft-starting method for doubly fed induction machines (DFIMs), a critical requirement for various industrial applications, such as pumped-storage hydropower. The research aims to improve a previously developed starting method by introducing a rotor-side synchronization technique at standstill conditions, which simplifies the starting process and eliminates the need for additional equipment such as autotransformers, resistors, or auxiliary converters. The proposed method begins with the stator winding being fed directly from the power system, while the rotor-side converter adjusts the voltage and frequency to achieve synchronization. Once synchronized, the rotor frequency is gradually reduced by the converter, resulting in a smooth acceleration of the machine. The methodology is validated through a combination of simulations and experimental testing, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The results reveal smooth startup dynamics, with significant reductions in electrical stress, operational complexity, and converter sizing requirements compared to existing methods. Notably, the magnetizing current is supplied directly by the power system through the stator, reducing the burden on the rotor converter by 60% compared to the previous method. The conclusions highlight the method’s robustness and its potential as a superior alternative to existing DFIM starting techniques. Full article

This paper presents the design of a fault-tolerant control system based on fault estimation, aimed at enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of a wind energy conversion system using a doubly-fed induction generator. The control architecture comprises a rotor-side converter (RSC) and a grid-side converter (GSC). The RSC is responsible for regulating both active and reactive power, and its model incorporates two linear subsystem representations. A fault-tolerant control (FTC) scheme is developed using a state-feedback controller; this controller is applied to regulate stator and rotor currents. Additionally, for comparison purposes, Proportional–Integral (PI) and Sliding-Mode Controllers (SMCs) are designed to analyze the performance of each controller. Furthermore, a proportional integral observer is employed in the proposed fault-tolerant scheme for actuator fault estimation. Fault detection is achieved by comparing the fault estimation signal with a predefined threshold. The main contribution of this work is the design and validation of a comprehensive active FTC scheme that enhances system reliability and sustainability. It also includes a performance analysis comparing three controllers (PI, SMC, and state-feedback) applied to the RSC. These controllers are evaluated for their ability to regulate active and reactive power in a wind energy conversion system under conditions of non-constant actuator faults. Full article