Power Converter for Wind Turbine Application

Herbert L. Hess** Noor A. Abdul Melek " r d Muljadi

University of Idaho National Renewable Energy Laboratory
PO Box 441023 1617 Cole Boulevard
Moscow, Idaho, USA Golden,Colorado
hhess@,uidaho.edu eduard.mul-iadi@,nrel.gov
208 885 4343 303-384-6904
208 8857579FAX 303-384-6901

Variable speed wind turbines are known to provide more effective power capture than
their fixed-speed counterparts. In general, the optimum power capture increases with
increasing wind speed [l]. To generate electrical power over a wide range of speeds,
induction generators have been shown to be superior in many ways to dc generators:
efficiency, maintainability, power density, etc.[2]. Unfortunately, loads are typically
fixed-frequency. A power electronic converter enables efficient conversion of the
variable frequency output of an induction generator, driven by a variable speed wind
turbine, to a fixed frequency appropriate for the grid or a load.
The conventional converter topology for this task is the well-known dc link converter
[2]. It converts energy fiom the induction machine's variable-frequency output to dc and
then independently modulates a fixed-frequency ac compatible with the utility grid. The
induction generator requires reactive power from the converter. Hence, both rectifier and
inverter must be composed of active devices[3].
The power converter proposed in this investigation [4] differs fiom the conventional
dc link converter in three important ways: 1) It has only one bridge, composed of active
devices. Consequently, the converter has only half the switching devices of the
conventional dc link converter. Compared to many dc link converters, it may have half
the controller hardware as well, 2) It has a unique modulation algorithm.. 3) It has a
simple filter to capture energy produced by the system and to transfer that energy to the
grid or a load. Both modulation and filter are described in the next paragraph.
The heart of this proposal is its innovative modulation method. The converter can be
modulated intentionally to produce current at more than one operating frequency [5].
Instead of the conventional practice of modulating the converter with a single dominant
current [6] (ignoring the harmonic issues for this discussion), the converter at hand is
modulated to produce a unique unbalanced combination of ac currents. One current
component in the converter is modulated at a variable frequency, positive sequence
current, appropriate for the generator. Its frequency is controlled to maintain a slip
frequency on the induction generator that gives optimum power output. The other current
component in the converter is a futed frequency, e.g., 60 Hertz, zero sequence current.
If the induction generator has no neutral connection, then zero sequence current will
not flow in the generator [7]. A zero sequence filter, connected directly in parallel with
the induction generator, collects this current. The filter can be as simple as star-
connected inductors or can be based on a zigzag transformer, for example. A zigzag
transformer naturally blocks positive sequence current while allowing zero sequence
current to be collected at its neutral point[8]. Therefore, a single phase load can be
supplied when connected between filter's neutral point and the center point of the

0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00 ( c ) 2000 IEEE 1275

 converter’s split dc bus. If
the single phase load is
active, the power factor can
be modulated arbitrarily.
I
-
DC / AC
Converter
I
Three Phase Induction
Generator and Wind Turbine

Simulation of this system

indicates that it operates in a
stable fashion, providing
power at an arbitrary power
factor to an active single
phase load. Current
harmonics are within IEEE Bus
519 standards [9]. Operation
can be optimized for a
variable speed wind turbine.
Basic aspects of the system Single Phase Load
have also been experimentally
verified. The system provides
60 Hz
eL$-!
=
current to a single phase
Figure 1
load from an induction
Diagram of Proposed Power Converter
generator operating at an
arbitrary speed. Results of
both simulation and experimental work will be presented at the conference.
This work primarily influences the capital cost of operating a small generation
facility, but offers little energy savings when compared to a conventional methods and
topologies. However, the proposed converter has other important application advantages.
The converter itself is bidirectional, meaning that it can also convert variable frequency
single phase to variable fiequency positive (or negative) sequence three phase [lo]. This
has important possibilities for utilities in the Western USA, who could benefit from a
better single-phase to three-phase converter. The converter also possesses the capability
to convert dc, at its dc bus, to three phase positive sequence and single phase at different
frequencies and at different power output levels simultaneously. This has interesting
possibilities for photovoltaic and fuel cell systems.

References
[l] P. Gipe, Wind Enerw Comes of Age (Vermont: Chelsea Green Publications, 1996).
i2] S . Heier, Grid Integration OfWind Enerw Conversion Svstems, (New York Wiley, 1998), chap 6.
[3] J.M.D. Murphy and F.G. Turnbull, Power Electronic Control of AC Motors (New York Pergamon, 1988), chap 4.
[4] E. Muuadi, “Variable Speed Wind Turbine Generator with Zero Sequence Filter,” US Patent No. 5798632,25
August 1998.
[5] M Depenbrock, “Pulsewidth Control Of A 3-Phase Inverter With Nonsinusoidal Phase Voltages,” LEEE IAS
International SemiconductorPower Converter Conference,Orlando, Florida, pp.389-398.
[6] C.D. Schauder and R Caddy, “Current Control of Voltage Source Inverters for Fast Four-Quadrant Drive
Performance,“ IEEE Transactionson Indus@ Applicutions, IA-22,4, JulylAugust 1986,pp. 678-690.
[A D.W. Novotny and T.A. Lipo, Vector Control and Dvnamics of AC Drives (New York: Oxford, 1996) p. 61.
[8] 0.Elgerd, Electric Enerev Svstems Theory (New York McGraw-Hill, 1982), p. 453-454.
[9] IEEE Standard 519, “Recommended Practices and Requirements for Harmonic Control in Electrical Power
Systems,” ANSI/IEEEStan&d 519-1992 (IEEE: New York, 1992).
[IO] P.Wood, Switching Power Converters (New York Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1981,chap 4.

**Correspondingauthor

0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00(c) 2000 IEEE 1276