Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2005. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

The requirements on vehicle industry are constantly getting stricter, especially when it comes to emissions. At the same time cars, trucks and buses are needed for our way of living. This have forced companies to be as ecient as possible in their way of using fossil fuels for travelling and transport. To increase the eciency companies investigate all possible fuel savings to decrease their carbon footprint as much as possible. One area of savings that is not that obvious to many people is the alternator. Several percent of the total energy used by a vehicle are needed to operate the alternator. With a typical alternator eciency of 70% considerable savings can be achieved. This thesis that concern alternator eciency was carried out at Scania in Södertälje, Sweden. The goal of the thesis is to construct a mathematical model of an alternator. The model is supposed to consider all losses in the alternator and together with the output power give an eciency model of the alternator at different speeds and loads. A great part of the project has been dealing with the magnetic losses. The magnetic losses have been modeled as an equivalent circuit with the load angle as a central piece. The equivalent circuit is built up by the fact that the alternator used in the vehicles is a salient pole alternator. The equivalent circuit describes a voltage equation where the voltage drop over the magnetic inductance is described. From that relations between the signals in the alternator and output signals can be written. The alternator model is then used together with data recorded from different buses all over the world, this to be able to investigate how the alternator contributes to the fuel consump- tion depending on the way that the buses are driven. The result of this thesis is a mathematical model that describes the losses in the alternator for different load cases and speeds.

This work deals with the issue of evaluating transient stability in the simulation program PSCAD. Factors affecting transient stability were analyzed on a single-machine SMIB model. The results of this analysis confirmed the theoretical assumption that for more accurate results of the analysis of transient stability, it is necessary to consider the mentioned factors. A short circuit was simulated on the IEEE9 test model and subsequently the load angles of the generators were monitored using various methods. The method of reference of the largest generator in the system proved to be a more suitable method for the assessment of relative load angles from the results of the analysis.

This Master thesis deals with the measurement and description of the synchronous generator , which is located in laboratories. First, the thesis deals with the theory of synchronous machines. This is followed by a detailed description of the involvement of laboratory genetatory unit. Subsequently, the work deals with the measurement of basic parameters of the synchronous machine and also quite thoroughly devoted to displaying transients at various levels on the digital oscilloscope. The dissertation aims to compare theoretical ideas with the measured results. Finally, it is shown what could be measured next to the generator set.

Hybrid stepper motors are a common type of electric motor used throughout industry thanks to its low-cost, high torque at low speed and open loop positioning capabilities. However, a closed loop control is often required for industrial applications with high precision requirements. The closed loop control can also be used to lower the power consumption of the motor and ensure that stalls are avoided. It is quite common to utilise a large and costly position encoder or resolver to feedback the position signal to the control logic. This thesis has explored the possibility of using a low-cost position sensor based on Hall elements. Additionally, a sensorless estimation algorithm, using only stator winding measurements, has been investigated both as a competitive alternative and as a possible complement to the position sensor. The thesis work summarises and discusses previous research attempts to adequately measure or estimate and control the hybrid stepper motors position and load angle without using a typical encoder or resolver. Qualitative results have been produced through simulations prior to implementation and experimental testing. The readings from the position sensor is subject to noise, owing to its resolution and construction. The position signal has been successfully filtered, improving its accuracy from 0.56° to 0.25°. The output from the sensorless estimation algorithm is subject to non-linear errors caused by errors in phase voltage measurements and processing of velocity changes. However, the dynamics are reliable at constant speeds and could be used for position control.

This thesis deals with a power flow control in the electric power system. An overview of FACTS devices is introduced; their basic characteristics as well as examples of their application are discussed. A significant part of this thesis investigates phase shifting transformers (PST´s), which seem to be suitable for implementation in the transmission system of the Czech Republic. The PST´s are useful devices that control active power flows on cross-border lines and regulate unwanted and unexpected power flows. Basic types and characteristics of the PST´s are discussed. In chapter 7 is designed laboratory task that should validate the regulatory capabilities of the transformer PST. Designs of models of individual parts of this laboratory task are presented. In the last part of this thesis the regulation effect of the PST is validated in the GLF/AES program.

In order to reduce emissions and achieve sustainable energy systems, renewable energy is increasingly being integrated into the power grid. However, the integration of renewable energy into the grid poses several challenges, including maintaining a stable power supply under changing and unpredictable conditions. Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) assesses a generator's ability to maintain stable voltage during grid voltage drops, which is crucial for renewables due to their low inertia and vulnerability to voltage disruptions caused by changes in wind or sunlight. LVRT requirements are defined by regional grid codes and regulations, which vary in their diversity. A study was conducted using Matlab Simulink to model and simulate the LVRT phenomenon on Siemens Energy's medium gas turbine generator. The entire power system generation system was simulated to observe the system's response and the generator's behavior during LVRT events. A previous gas turbine power plant project in Romania, delivered by Siemens Energy in Finspång, was simulated for analysis and compared against the grid code requirements. The findings indicated that the Siemens Energy gas turbine model SGT-750 satisfies the Romanian LVRT grid code requirements.