- Power electronic devices are essential components of grid-connected wind generator
systems, Discuss that- Give your answer using two types of wind generators as examples. P9
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Mohamed Esam
Converter inverter rectifiers as examples of the most important power electronic components
Compare them in your lab in terms of their components-purpose of use-advantages-
disadvantages. Support your answer with graphs and curves. P10
Power electronics transformers are mainly composed of solid state switches, such as Power MOSFET, Power
BJT, IGBT, Thyristors, and non-lossy components, namely inductors and capacitors. Inductors and capacitors
are ideally suited for use in power transformers as the power loss in these components is zero compared to
resistors
The power electronics act as an intermediary between the wind turbine and the grid. During the application
of electronic power converters for wind turbines
AC to DC Converter (Rectifier)
The prime source of electrical power coming from the grid is single/three-phase alternating current. While AC
current is efficient for transmission purposes, many devices, drives, and electronic equipment require DC
power supply that is fulfilled using rectifiers. A rectifier takes ac and converts it to DC. The rectifier is the most
popular type of power electronics converter.
Types of Rectifier
Half Wave Rectifier.
Uses a single diode, only half of the potential
power is converted to DC. Generally not used
unless your just doing some simple tests.
Full Wave Rectifier, Single Phase. Uses 4 diodes to
rectify both the negative and positive sides of the AC
cycle. Almost all electronic appliances that use grid
power have a Full Wave Rectifier, including your PC
Full Wave Rectifier, 3 Phase.
Uses 6 diodes to rectifier all 3 phases, both negative and positive sides of each
phase. As you can see by the DC output, its a very smooth output compared to a full or half wave single phase rectifier
✓ used wind turbine
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Mohamed Esam
use (Rectifier)
1. Waveform of the load current : As rectifier converts A.C. to pulsating D.C., it is important to analyze the
nature of the current through load which ultimately determines the waveform of the load voltage.
2. Regulation of the output voltage : As the load current changes, load voltage changes. Practically load
voltage should remain constant. So concept of regulation is to study the effect of change in load
current on the load voltage.
3. Rectifier efficiency : It signifies, how efficiency the rectifier circuit converts A.C power into D.C. power.
4. Peak value of current in the rectifier circuit : The peak value is the maximum value of an alternating
current in the rectifier circuit. This decides the rating of the rectifier circuit element which is diode.
5. Peak value of voltage across the rectifier element in the reverse direction (PIV) : When the diode is not
conducting, the reverse voltage gets applied across the diode. The peak value of such voltage decides
the peak inverse voltage i.e. PIV rating of a diode.
6. Ripple factor : The output of the rectifier is of pulsating D.C. type the amount of A.C content in the
output can be mathematically expressed by a factor called ripple factor. Less is the ripple factor, better
is the performance of the circuit.
Component (Rectifier)
The bridge rectifier circuit is made of four diodes D1, D2, D3, D4, and a load resistor RL. The four diodes are
connected in a closed-loop configuration to efficiently convert the alternating current (AC) into Direct Current
(DC). The main advantage of this configuration is the absence of the expensive centre-tapped transformer.
Therefore, the size and cost are reduced
Advantages
• The efficiency of the bridge rectifier is higher than the efficiency of a half-wave rectifier. However, the
rectifier efficiency of the bridge rectifier and the centre-tapped full-wave rectifier is the same.
• The DC output signal of the bridge rectifier is smoother than the output DC signal of a half-wave
rectifier.
• In a half-wave rectifier, only half of the input AC signal is used, and the other half is blocked. Half of the
input signal is wasted in a half-wave rectifier. However, in a bridge rectifier, the electric current is
allowed during both positive and negative half cycles of the input AC signal. Hence, the output DC
signal is almost equal to the input AC signal.
Disadvantages
• The circuit of a bridge rectifier is complex when compared to a half-wave rectifier and centre-tapped
full-wave rectifier. Bridge rectifiers use 4 diodes while half-wave rectifiers and centre-tapped full wave
rectifiers use only two diodes.
• When more diodes are used more power loss occurs. In a centre-tapped full-wave rectifier, only one
diode conducts during each half cycle. But in a bridge rectifier, two diodes connected in series conduct
during each half cycle. Hence, the voltage drop is higher in a bridge rectifier.
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Mohamed Esam
DC to AC converter (INVERTER)
The inverter is a key component of any wind turbine system. Inverters are units which convert the direct
current (DC) power produced by wind turbines into alternating current (AC) which can be used to power
appliances in homes and business, or exported to the electricity grid.
Current-fed inverters basics
Current-fed inverters are those which have constant input current. Their current is independent of the
connected load. However, their voltage does vary according to the load applied. In this type, a current
link (inductor) is provided in between the dc source and the inverter.
Variable DC-link inverters
Variable dc-link inverters are those whose input voltage is controllable by adjusting the values of
inductor and capacitor used for DC link. In this type, DC current link and DC voltage link both are
provided in between the DC source and the inverter. The output voltage can be adjusted accordingly.
Use inverter
convert the direct current (DC) power produced by wind turbines into alternating current (AC)
Component inverter
a) Diode
b) IGPT(switch)
Advantages:
• Can be
an
energy
efficient
way of
changing voltage.
• Can step voltage up or down.
• Can provide electrical isolation between input and output.
• Can provide an AC voltage from a DC source.
• Can smooth out random variations in input voltage.
• Can be used to produce 50 Hz from a 60 Hz supply or vice versa.
Disadvantages:
• Require rectification and smoothing on the output if the output is to be DC.
• May produce radio interference or audible tones.
• May produce AC at a non-specific frequency.
• In certain types of UPS the inverter may need to phase synchronized to the input AC
power to ensure a spike free switchover.
• May produce excess output voltage under no load or very light load conditions.
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Mohamed Esam
Explain with examples “Power semiconductor devices are used as switches in power electronic
circuits”- Give a complete description of the IGBT function in a power electronics circuit.
Support your answer with graphs and curves M3
IGBT function
• Reduce the impact of high-frequency switching noise by locating the high-current controller physically close to
the power switch, while reducing the power dissipation and thermal stress of the regulators.
• Controlling the amplification of the output power of the pulses
• Low conversion losses
• Small damping circuit requirements
• High resistance to insertion
• The temperature coefficient of the ON-state resistance is positive and lower than that of the PMOSFET, and thus
less than the ON-state voltage drop and power loss.
• Control gate voltage for control IC
CONCOULOSION The collector current(Ic) is controlled by controlling the collector voltage (Vc)of the IGPT, when the
voltage increases, the current is controlled
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Mohamed Esam
Critically analyse in details “Grid side converter GSC is very important nowadays to interconnect
wind turbine generator to the grid”. Support your answer with graphs and curves D3
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Mohamed Esam
Identify the needs and conditions to interconnect large capacity wind turbine successfully, into
an electrical grid. P11
The requirements for connecting wind turbines to the grid vary according to the type of generator used to
generate power for example DFIG
conditions
• The wind speed should not be less than 4.5 m/s
Grid Requirements. Most grid codes demand active power curtailment upon request from the network
operator,at a specified set-point.
• This is done either by disconnecting wind turbines or
• by controlling the pitch angle of the blades in order to limit the power extracted from the wind.
Frequency Control
Frequency control rules
• frequency response capability
• bounce rate limitation
• active power output.
Frequency response - active power output: The frequency response is the ability of the system to change the
,active power output in response to changes in the system frequency
Bounce rate limitation: Some transmission system operators; may require limitation of the change in the rise
or even decrease of the active power output to suppress large frequency fluctuations caused by excessive
wind changes and the activation and deactivation of wind power plants. When the wind power in the grid
reaches high rates, these rules are expected to become more stringent so that conventional power plants
responsible for primary and secondary control do not exceed the power changeover.
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Mohamed Esam
Frequency range
The nominal operating frequency is the same throughout a synchronous operating system and is normally
operated within a narrow band. Abnormal frequencies increase the operating temperature of the generator
windings, shorten the insulation life and may damage the power electronics. Previously, the network
operators wanted the wind turbines to leave the network if the frequency dropped. However, as the wind
power in the network gradually increases and it is disabled at low frequencies, it may affect the recovery
ability of the network. wind turbines are required to operate in a wider frequency band and remain
connected to the network.
Voltage control
The basic rule of network codes is; Wind turbines are required to operate at nominal output power in the
nominal voltage range, to ensure that the voltage at the terminals is constant and to remain connected to the
mains during the defined voltage step changes. Other rules apply to reactive power and voltage control. Wind
turbines should be able to contribute to the system's dynamic capability and reactive energy balance. It
requires each wind turbine to maintain a constant voltage at the terminal voltage through an automatic
voltage regulator. This arrangement protects the generator set from over- or under-excitation protection with
or without a large amount of reactive power, and is particularly important in dealing with voltage fluctuations
in the transmission system.
Power Electronics devices (protection)
• Inverter
• Rectifier
• Inductive
• Capacitive
• Filter capacitor
These devices must be available between the network and the turbine to protect
and control the frequency, voltage and current
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Mohamed Esam
Compare between synchronous and asynchronous generators in terms of advantage-
disadvantage in wind power conversion systems. P12
asynchronous synchronous
advantage • The difference between the rotational • The frequency of a synchronous
speed at peak power and idle is very generator can be regulated more
small, about 1%. This difference in easily than an asynchronous
percentage of the synchronous speed, is generator
called alternator slip. Thus, a 4-pole • Synchronous generator is more
generator will idle at 1500 rpm if it is efficient than asynchronous
connected to a 50 Hz network. If the generator
generator is producing at maximum • A synchronous generator can
capacity, run it at 1,515 rpm.It is a very accommodate power factor
useful mechanical property that the differences
generator will increase or decrease its • It can be used in wind turbines
speed slightly if the torque varies. This without a gearbox, and this
means that there will be less wear and reduces maintenance burdens, as
tear in the gearbox, due to less peak in PMSG
torque. This is one of the main reasons • It can work in an off-grid system
for using a asynchronous generator that does not need to excite the
instead of a synchronous generator on electrical grid
grid-connected wind turbines. • Less operating cost Good Efficiency
• An asynchronous generator can be used • Low Maintenance Brushless
in a stand-alone system if it is equipped Generator High torque at low
with capacitors that provide the speed Not required separate
necessary magnetizing current excitation
• Asynchronous generators are less
complex than synchronous generators
• Asynchronous generators do not require
any brushes and therefore require no
brush maintenance
• Asynchronous generators require
complex electronic control units
• Low cost and dimple design.
• Used for large scale
• It has good damping torque pulsation
disadvantage • Asynchronous generators require • PM materials are high cost.
complex electronic control units • Can't be used for large scale grid.
• High maintenances required.
• Demagnetization problem occur in
• It required external excitation and permanent magnet, due to high
additional rectifier, so that overall temperature. It affects the overall
cost is increased. system initial usage of diode.
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Mohamed Esam
Discuss which type of wind turbine generator is applicable in remote area to work as stand-
alone system. Give reasons to your selection. P13
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Mohamed Esam
