LVRT Fulfilment of the DFIG-based WECS During Symmetrical Grid Voltage Dips

Abstract

The doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind energy conversion system (WECS) has seen rapid growth all over the world, resulting in a growing access of this source of energy into electrical grids. The low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) capability of the DFIG-based wind turbine must be improved to make it stay connected to the grid during the occurrence of grid faults. Because of its vulnerability to grid disruptions, careful arrangements must be made to the DFIG to keep it connected with the grid. Hence, this paper presents a modified control technique with crowbar protection for improving the LVRT of the WECS. This proposed scheme can be sufficient to meet the LVRT requirements as demanded by grid codes. The fault ride-through capability of the rotor side convertor (RSC) and grid side converter (GSC) is regulated in accordance with grid code requirements. During grid faults, the proposed scheme enhances device recovery by providing reactive power support through the GSC and the stator. The dynamic performance of the proposed scheme is investigated under symmetrical grid disturbances. The operation of the proposed system has been simulated in a MATLAB/Simulink environment for a 2.6 MW-grid-connected DFIG system.

Keywords:

• Crowbar protection
• Doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)
• Grid codes
• Low voltage ride-through (LVRT)
• Symmetrical voltage dips
• Wind energy conversion system (WECS)

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Krishna S. Patel

Krishna S Patel received her BE from Gujarat University, Gujarat, India, in 2010 and ME from Gujarat Technological University, Gujarat, India, in 2013. She is currently pursuing her PhD in electrical engineering from Gujarat Technological University, Gujarat, India. She has a teaching experience of over 10 years. She has published 11 papers in various journals. Her research interests include grid integration of wind energy conversion systems, power quality, and power electronics.

Vijay H. Makwana

Vijay H Makwana received his BE (Electrical) and ME (Electrical Power System) from BVM Engineering College, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India in 1999 and 2002, respectively. He obtained PhD (Electrical) from Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, India, in 2013. He has over 21 years of teaching experience. Currently, he is a professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, G H Patel College of Engineering and Technology, Vallabh Vidyanagar, India. He has published 25 papers in various international peer-reviewed journals. He has written a book on Power System Protection and Switchgear published by Tata Mc-Graw Hill, 2010, India. He has also written a monograph on Transmission Line Protection Using Digital Technology published by Springer in 2016. His research interests include power system protection, power system stability, and control, power system modelling and simulation, reactive power compensation and FACTS. Email: [email protected]