Fault Diagnosis of an Induction Generator in a Wind Energy Conversion System Using Signal Processing Techniques

Abstract

In this article, a contribution to fault diagnosis of an induction machine in a wind energy conversion system in closed-loop operation using a combination between short-time Fourier transform and discrete wavelet transform algorithms is proposed. An on-line fault diagnostic technique based on stator currents analysis of the squirrel-cage induction generator is proposed to detect and localize abnormal electrical conditions that indicate, or may lead to, a stator or rotor failure in a squirrel-cage induction generator. This technique also permits identification of a fault severity factor and consequently helps to determine the best choice of corrective maintenance. Furthermore, a generalized model of the squirrel-cage induction generator is used to simulate both the rotor and stator faults, taking iron losses, main flux, and cross-flux saturation into account. The efficiency of diagnostic procedure in closed-loop operation of the wind energy conversion system under non-stationary operating conditions is illustrated with simulation results.

Keywords:

• wind energy conversion systems
• induction generator
• signal possessing
• fault severity factor
• faults classification
• fault detection and diagnosis

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Issam Attoui

Issam Attoui was born in Annaba, Algeria, in 1985. He received the engineer's degree, magister's degree, and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Badji Mokhtar-Annaba University, Algeria in 2007, 2009, and 2015 respectively. In 2011, he joined the Research Center in Industrial Technologies/Research Unit in Advanced Materials (URMA/CRTI) Annaba, Algeria. His research interests include system modeling and control, process fault diagnosis, signal processing, renewable energy, vibration monitoring, fractional order control, and neural networks.

Amar Omeiri

Amar Omeiri was born in Skikda, Algeria, in 1958. He received his engineer's degree from Annaba University in 1983; his master's degree of science by research from Strathclyde University, UK, in 1986; and his Ph.D. in 2007 from Annaba University, Algeria. Since 1987, he has been a lecturer at Annaba University in the Electrical Engineering Department. His current research field includes active power filters, renewable energies, power electronics, and AC and DC drives.