Voltage Regulation Using a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator with a Series Compensator: Preprint

Eduard Muljadi, Ping Hsu, Ziping Wu, Wenzhong Gao

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

Abstract

A wind power plant (WPP) is often operated at unity power factor, and the utility host where the WPP connects prefers to regulate the voltage. Although this may not be an issue in a stiff grid, the connection to a weak grid can be a problematic. This paper explores the advantages of having voltage regulation capability via reactive power control. Another issue in wind power generation is that not all turbines are able to control their reactive power due to technical reasons or contractual obligations. A synchronous condenser (SC) using a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) is proposed to provide necessary reactive power for regulating voltage at a weak grid connection. A PMSG has the advantage of higher efficiency and reliability. Because of its lack of a field winding, a PMSG is typically controlled by a full-power converter, which can be costly. In the proposed system, the reactive power of the SC is controlled by a serially connected compensator operating in a closed-loop configuration. The compensator also damps the PMSG's tendency to oscillate. The compensator's VA rating is only a fraction of the rating of the SC and the PMSG. In this initial investigation, the proposed scheme is shown to be effective by computer simulations.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages8
StatePublished - 2015
EventIEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition - Montreal, Canada
Duration: 20 Sep 201524 Sep 2015

Conference

ConferenceIEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition
CityMontreal, Canada
Period20/09/1524/09/15

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-5D00-64747

Keywords

  • permanent magnet synchronous machine
  • reactive power control
  • synchronous condenser
  • voltage stabilization

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