During the last decade, power quality has been recognised asa global problem. Among different types of power qualityproblems, voltage sags have been identified to be one of themost severe problems for different process industries. The mostcommon reason to voltage sags is lightning strikes in powerlines. Protection equipment, usually located at switchyards,disconnect faulted power lines as soon as possible, which isapproximately 100 ms. Thus, the duration of voltage sags areapproximately 100 ms. The sensitivity to voltage sags ofelectrical equipment in process industries can be observed asfor instance malfunction, automatic turnoff or damages. This thesis gives an overview of three metals processes withfocus on the sensitivity to voltage sags and interruptions. Theinherent energy in the process is used to find the sensitivity.This energy may also be used to obtain "ride-through" for theprocesses. The three metals processes are a blast furnaceprocess, a hot rolling mill process and a cold rolling millprocess. The main attention in this thesis is paid to the blastfurnace process, which is powered by a line-operatedsynchronous machine. The thesis shows that the protection equipment forelectrical machines can be adjusted to avoid unnecessaryshutdowns. It is also explained why there are high torque andcurrents during voltage sags as well as after voltage sags. Itis shown that the first peak torque and current during thevoltage sags is almost proportional to the voltage change, thatis the voltage magnitude before the voltage sag minus thevoltage magnitude during the voltage sag. The first peak torqueand current after the voltage sag depends sinusoidal-like onthe duration of the voltage sag and almost proportional to thevoltage change during the voltage sag. There is no fluxsaturation during voltage sags, however after voltage sagssaturation is very likely to occur. The thesis explains why andalso how the flux is changed during and after voltage sags. The duration of voltage sags is in many cases set by theprotection equipment located in switchyards. It is shown thatthe durations of voltage sags can be changed to durations thatwill cause less peak torque and current after voltage sags forline-operated AC-machines. It is also shown how this istheoretically achieved. <b>Keywords:</b>Rolling mill, Blast furnace, Power Quality,Synchronous machine, Asynchronous machine, Voltage sag, Voltageinterruption, Ride-through, Process disturbances, Simulation,Modelling

When more induction generator based wind farms are integrated into the power system, the system voltage dips and stability problems may arise due to the draw of reactive power by induction generators. The power system short-circuit event induced wind turbine trips could result in power imbalance and lead to power system instability. This thesis studies the influence of two compensation techniques on the wind turbine low voltage ride-through (LVRT) capability. One of which is based on a parallel compensation by a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM), and the other one is a series compensation by a dynamic voltage restorer (DVR). In this study, Matlab tools and models are used to simulate an active-stall controlled fixed-speed induction generator connected to a power system. Two system configurations are used to simulate three phase faults and compare the improvement of wind turbine LVRT capability due to the two studied compensation techniques. Simulation results indicate that wind turbine compensated by DVR would have better LVRT performance than that by STATCOM in dealing with the low voltage situations due to system faults.

<p>During the last decade, power quality has been recognised asa global problem. Among different types of power qualityproblems, voltage sags have been identified to be one of themost severe problems for different process industries. The mostcommon reason to voltage sags is lightning strikes in powerlines. Protection equipment, usually located at switchyards,disconnect faulted power lines as soon as possible, which isapproximately 100 ms. Thus, the duration of voltage sags areapproximately 100 ms. The sensitivity to voltage sags ofelectrical equipment in process industries can be observed asfor instance malfunction, automatic turnoff or damages.</p><p>This thesis gives an overview of three metals processes withfocus on the sensitivity to voltage sags and interruptions. Theinherent energy in the process is used to find the sensitivity.This energy may also be used to obtain "ride-through" for theprocesses. The three metals processes are a blast furnaceprocess, a hot rolling mill process and a cold rolling millprocess. The main attention in this thesis is paid to the blastfurnace process, which is powered by a line-operatedsynchronous machine.</p><p>The thesis shows that the protection equipment forelectrical machines can be adjusted to avoid unnecessaryshutdowns. It is also explained why there are high torque andcurrents during voltage sags as well as after voltage sags. Itis shown that the first peak torque and current during thevoltage sags is almost proportional to the voltage change, thatis the voltage magnitude before the voltage sag minus thevoltage magnitude during the voltage sag. The first peak torqueand current after the voltage sag depends sinusoidal-like onthe duration of the voltage sag and almost proportional to thevoltage change during the voltage sag. There is no fluxsaturation during voltage sags, however after voltage sagssaturation is very likely to occur. The thesis explains why andalso how the flux is changed during and after voltage sags.</p><p>The duration of voltage sags is in many cases set by theprotection equipment located in switchyards. It is shown thatthe durations of voltage sags can be changed to durations thatwill cause less peak torque and current after voltage sags forline-operated AC-machines. It is also shown how this istheoretically achieved.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>Rolling mill, Blast furnace, Power Quality,Synchronous machine, Asynchronous machine, Voltage sag, Voltageinterruption, Ride-through, Process disturbances, Simulation,Modelling</p>

The trend of future wind farms moving further offshore requires much higher reliability for each wind turbine in order to reduce maintenance cost. The drive-train system and power electronic converter system have been identified as critical sub-assemblies that are subject to higher failure rates than the other sub-assemblies in a wind turbine. Modern condition monitoring techniques may help schedule the maintenance and reduce downtime. However, when it comes to offshore wind turbines, it is more crucial to reduce the failure rates (or reduce the stresses) for the wind turbines during operation since the harsh weather and a frequently inaccessible environment will dramatically reduce their availability once a failure happens. This research examines the mechanical, electrical and thermal stresses in the sub-assemblies of a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbine and how to reduce them by improved control strategies. The DFIG control system (the rotor-side and the grid-side converter control) as well as the wind turbine control system are well established. The interactions of these control systems have been investigated. This research examines several further strategies to reduce the mechanical and electrical stresses. The control system's coordination with the protection schemes (crowbar and dc-chopper) during a grid fault is presented as well. An electro-thermal model of the power converter has been developed to integrate with the DFIG wind turbine model, for the evaluation of the thermal stresses under different operating states and control schemes. The main contributions of this thesis are twofold. A first contribution is made by providing all the control loops with well-tuned controllers in a more integrated methodology. The dynamics of these controllers are determined from their mathematical models to minimize the interference between different control-loops and also to reduce the electrical transients. This thesis proposes a coordination strategy for the damping control, pitch control and crowbar protection which significantly reduces the mechanical oscillations. On the other hand, an integrated model of the wind turbine and converter electro-thermal system is established that can illustrate the performance integration with different control strategies.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The slip synchronous-permanent magnet generator (SS-PMG) is a direct-driven, direct-to-grid generator for wind turbine applications. This investigation focuses on achieving automated grid connection and low voltage ride-through for a small-scale SS-PMG. To reduce cost and complexity, components such as blade pitch controllers and frequency converters are avoided. Instead, electromagnetic braking is employed to control turbine speed prior to grid synchronisation and compensation resistances are used to facilitate grid fault ride-through. The conditions under which the SS-PMG can be successfully synchronised with the grid are determined, indicating a need for speed control. An evaluation of electromagnetic braking strategies reveals that satisfactory speed control performance can be achieved when employing back-to-back thyristors to switch in the braking load. Simulations show that controlled synchronisation can be executed successfully under turbulent wind conditions. All controllable parameters are held within safe limits, but the SS-PMG terminal voltage drop is higher than desired. Compensation is developed to allow the SS-PMG to ride through the voltage dip profile specified by the Irish distribution code. It is found that a combination of series and shunt resistances is necessary to shield the SS-PMG from the voltage dip, while balancing active power transfer. The flexibility offered by thyristor switching of the shunt braking load is instrumental in coping with turbulent wind conditions and unbalanced dips. The South African voltage dip profile is also managed with conditional success. Following on from the theoretical design, the grid connection controller is implemented for practical testing purposes. Protection functions are developed to ensure safe operation under various contingencies. Before testing, problems with the operation of the thyristors are overcome. Practical testing shows that grid synchronisation can be undertaken safely by obeying the theoretically determined conditions. The speed control mechanism is also shown to achieve acceptable dynamic performance. Finally, the SS-PMG is incorporated into a functioning wind turbine system and automated grid connection is demonstrated under turbulent wind conditions. Future investigations may be focused on optimal control strategies, alternative solid-state switching schemes, and reactive power control. Low voltage ride-through should also be optimised for the South African dip profile and validated experimentally. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die glip-sinchroon permanente magneet generator (GS-PMG) is ‘n direkte dryf, direkte netwerkgekoppelde generator vir windturbine toepassings. Hierdie ondersoek fokus op die bereiking van ’n ge-outomatiseerde netwerkkoppeling en lae spanning deurry vir ‘n kleinskaalse GS-PMG. Om kostes en kompleksiteit te verminder, word komponente soos lemsteekbeheerders en frekwensie-omsetters vermy. In plaas daarvan word elektromagnetiese remwerking gebruik om die turbine spoed, voorgaande net-werksinchronisasie, te beheer, en word kompensasieweerstande gebruik om netwerkfoutdeurry te handhaaf. Die omstandighede waaronder die GS-PMG suksesvol met die netwerk gesinchroniseer kan word, is vasgestel en dit het die behoefte aan spoedbeheer uitgewys. ‘n Evaluering van elektromagnetiese remstrategië wys uit dat ’n bevredigende spoedbeheervermoë verkry kan word as anti-parallelle tiristors gebruik word om die remlas te skakel. Simulasies wys dat beheerde netwerksinchronisasie suksesvol uitgevoer kan word, selfs onder turbulente windtoestande. Alle beheerbare parameters is binne veilige perke gehou, maar die GS-PMG se klemspanningsval is gevind as hoë as verwag. Kompensasie is ontwikkel om die GS-PMG toe te laat om deur die spanningsvalprofiel, soos gespesifieer deur die Ierse distribusiekode, te ry. Dit is gevind dat ‘n kombinasie van serie- en parallelle weerstande nodig is om die GS-PMG teen die spanningsval te beskerm, terwyl aktiewe drywingsoordrag gebalanseer word. Die buigbaarheid wat verkry word met die tiristorskakeling van die parallele weerstand is noodsaaklik in die hanteering van turbulente windtoestande en ongebalanseerde spanningsvalle. Die Suid-Afrikaanse spanningsvalprofiel is ook met voorwaardelike sukses hanteer. In opvolg van die teoretiese ontwerp is die netwerkkoppelingsbeheerder vir praktiese toetsdoeleindes in werking gestel. Beskermingsfunksies is ontwikkel om veilige werking onder verskeie gebeurlikhede te verseker. Die probleme met die werking van die tiristors is oorkom voor die aanvang van die toetse. Die praktiese toetse bewys dat netwerksinchronisasie veilig gedoen kan word deur die teoretiese bepaalde voorwaardes te volg. Dit is ook getoon dat met die spoedbeheermeganisme aanvaarbare dinamiese gedrag verkry kan word. Ten laaste is die GS-PMG in ‘n werkende windturbinestelsel geïnkorporeer en outomatiese netwerkkoppeling is onder turbulente windtoestande gedemonstreer. Toekomstige ondersoeke kan toegespits word op optimale beheerstrategië, alternatiewe vaste toestand skakelingskemas en reaktiewe drywingsbeheer. Lae spanning deurry moet nog vir die Suid- Afrikaanse spanningsprofiel ge-optimeer en eksperimenteel bevestig word.

<p>U ovoj doktorskoj disertaciji razvijena je tehnika upravljanja za<br />pretvarač energetske elektronike pri nesimetričnim naponskim<br />prilikama u elektroenergetskom sistemu. Kao što je pokazano,<br />primenom tehnike poništavanja signala kašnjenjem moguće je<br />izdvajanje komponenti struje inverznog redosleda i njihovo<br />potpuno poništenje, što će omogućiti pouzdanu kontrolu<br />komponenti struje direktnog redosleda upotrebom klasičnih<br />tehnika upraljanja, uz adekvatno unapređenje tehnike za<br />sinhronizaciju sa vektorskim reprezentom napona. Predložena<br />je i upotreba algoritama za poboljšanje parametara kvaliteta<br />električne energije bez dodatnih pasivnih elemenata.</p> / <p>This PhD thesis presents an improved control technique for grid<br />connected converter under asymmetrical voltages at the point of<br />common coupling. As presented, using delay signal cancellation<br />technique it is possible to differentiate and completely mitigate the<br />negative sequence current, offering the possibility of reliable positive<br />sequence current control using classical control algorithms. The<br />improvements made in synchronization offered adequate<br />phase angle estimation under voltage asymmetry. Furthermore, a<br />technique for the improvement of power quality indices without<br />passive elements between the grid and</p>

Technological improvements on wind energy systems with governmental supports have increased the penetration level of wind power into the grid in recent years. The high level of penetration forces the wind turbines stay connected to the grid during the disturbances in order to enhance system stability. Moreover, power system operators must revise their grid codes in parallel with these developments. This work is devoted to the modeling of variable speed wind turbines and the investigation of fault ride trough capability of the wind turbines for grid integration studies. In the thesis, detailed models of different variable speed wind turbines will be presented. Requirements of grid codes for wind power integration will also be discussed regarding active power control, reactive power control and fault ride through (FRT) capability. Investigation of the wind turbine FRT capability is the main focus of this thesis. Methods to overcome this problem for different types of wind turbines will be also explained in detail. Models of grid-connected wind turbines with doubly-fed induction generator and permanent magnet synchronous generator are implemented in the dedicated power system analysis tool PSCAD/EMTDC. With these models and computer simulations, FRT capabilities ofvariable speed wind turbines have been studied and benchmarked and the influences on the grid during the faults are discussed.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This thesis addresses the main issues regarding the operation of full power converters wind turbines connected to the grid under balanced and unbalanced voltage sags. In the past, the grid codes allowed wind turbines to be disconnected during voltage and frequency disturbances. However, recently, grid codes updates often require that wind turbines remain connected during voltage sags aiming to provide voltage back-up support. Furthermore, some specific criteria establish that wind turbines should be able to utilize part of its current capability to promote the voltage back-up during unbalanced voltage sags. To guarantee the grid connected converter operation, even with voltage sags that lead to zero-voltage situations and unbalanced voltage conditions, a synchronous frame PLL with a very low time constant is designed and adapted with a Kalmam filter synchronization system. This thesis propose a two stages synchronization for grid connected converters that is able to ensure proper operation of the converter even when voltage on the converter terminals has temporarily falling down to zero. This goal is meet with a synchronous frame PLL with a very low time constant adapted with a Kalmam filter synchronization system. This composed synchronization system allows the converter control system to get the positive and negative sequences voltages components, that are necessary to the output power control even under severe voltage dips. Moreover, an anti windup is adapted to operate with a resonant current controller enabling the minimization of the saturation in the control action during voltage transients. During unbalanced voltage dips, the injection of unbalanced currents to the voltage back-up support becomes a good alternative to reduce the imbalance factor of the grid voltages. However, it is necessary to limit the maximum current output of the converter to avoid undesirable protection trips. This thesis proposes a strategy that limite the output currents allowing the use of the converter full current capacity during unbalanced voltage sags support. To achieve this goal, the current references are divided into three parts. The former is associated with the active power reference synchronized with the positive sequence voltage. The second is the reactive power synchronized with the positive sequence voltage and the third is the reactive power synchronized with the negative sequence voltage. The strategy propose the computation of th reactive power references by the positive and negative sequence voltages on the PPC in order to not overpass the converter current limits. Experimental and simulation results corroborate the contributions of this thesis. / Esta tese trata do problema de operação de aerogeradores com conversores plenos conectados à rede durante afundamentos de tensão equilibrados e desequilibrados. Inicialmente, os códigos de rede permitiam a desconexão dos aerogeradores durante distúrbios de frequência ou durante afundamentos de tensão. Entretanto, a presente tendência dos requisitos de conexão em diversos países obriga os aerogeradores a permanecerem conectados a contribuição destes com injeção de corrente reativa visando dar suporte à tensão. Além disso, alguns critérios especifícos estabelecem que aerogeradores devem ser capazes de utilizar parte de sua capacidade de corrente para promover o suporte de reativos também durante afundamentos desequilibrados. Nesta tese é apresentado um método de sincronismo composto baseado em filtro de Kalman e aplicado para conversores conectados à rede durante afundamentos de tensão que possam levar a tensão a zero no ponto de conexão. Este possibilita a obtenção das componentes de sequência e as suas tensões em quadratura de maneira simples, além de apresentar um bom desempenho dinâmico durante afundamentos desequilibrados. Além disso, uma estrutura anti windup é adaptada para operar com um controlador ressonante de corrente possibilitando a minimização da saturação da ação de controle na síntese das correntes de saída. Uma vez que o conversor do lado da rede é capaz de operar em condições severas de maneira adequada, a injeção de corrente reativa de forma a minimizar a tensão se sequência negativa no ponto de conexão é uma possibilidade para a diminuição do fator de desequilíbrio. Entretanto é necessário limitar as correntes máximas de saída do conversor. Esta tese propõem uma estratégia de limitação de corrente para conversores conectados à rede que possibilita o uso da plena capacidade de corrente do conversor na injeção de correntes desequilibradas para o suporte de tensão. Para atingir esse objetivo, as referências de corrente são dividas em três partes e com objetivos distintos. A primeira é associada a potência ativa sincronizada com a tensão de sequência positiva. A segunda representa a parcela de potência reativa sincronizada com a tensão de sequência positiva e a terceira parcela representa a potência reativa sincronizada com a tensão de sequência negativa. Pelo cômputo da norma máxima das correntes por uma expressão genérica é possível determinar as correntes de referência que respeitam os limites de corrente do conversor. Resultados de simulação e experimentais corroboram as contribuições desta tese.

Orientador: André Luiz Andreoli / Resumo: Nos últimos anos, questões relacionadas ao meio ambiente, principalmente, ao uso de combustíveis fósseis e à emissão de gases poluentes na atmosfera, ganharam grande destaque internacional. Com os avanços da comunidade científica e o aumento no preço do petróleo no começo da década de 1970, o uso de fontes renováveis, não poluentes e limpas teve grande investimento por parte de diversos países. Nesse contexto, a geração eólica vem se destacando como uma das mais promissoras, especialmente devido a sua viabilidade econômica e ao seu rápido desenvolvimento tecnológico. Entre as diferentes topologias utilizadas nos sistemas de geração eólica, destaca-se a configuração elaborada para operação em velocidade variável, que emprega o gerador de indução duplamente alimentado (DFIG), associado ao conversor eletrônico back-to-back para controle de sua operação. Como principais vantagens da utilização do DFIG, destacam-se sua maior eficiência na conversão de energia, menor estresse mecânico do rotor, controle independente de potência ativa e reativa limitada a valores típicos de 30% da potência nominal. Por outro, sabe-se que, durante a ocorrência de um distúrbio, as correntes do rotor podem atingir altas magnitudes e causar danos ao conversor. Além disso, sobretensões no capacitor do elo CC ocorrem devido à perda de capacidade de transferência de energia do conversor do lado da rede. Entretanto, os aerogeradores podem ser requisitados a permanecerem em funcionamento mesmo durante uma fa... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In the last years, issues related to the environment, especially the use of fossil fuels and the emission of polluting gases into the atmosphere, have gained great international prominence. With the advances of scientific community and the increase of the oil price in the beginning of the 1970s, the use of renewable, non-polluting and clean sources had a great investment by several countries. In this context, wind generation has stood out as one of the most promising, especially due to its economic viability and its fast technological development. Among the different topologies used in wind generation systems, the configuration developed for operation at variable speed is highlighted, which employs the doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) associated with back-to-back electronic converter to control its operation. The main advantages of using DFIG include its greater efficiency in energy conversion, less mechanical rotor stress, independent control of active and reactive power limited to typical values of 30% of the rated power. On the other hand, it is known that, during the occurrence of a disturbance, such as an electrical fault, the rotor currents can reach high magnitudes in order to damage the rotor side converter. In addition, overvoltages in the DC link capacitor occur due to the loss of power transfer capacity on grid side converter. However, wind turbines may be required to main in operation even during a fault, in addition to contributing the restoration of voltage... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

As new requirements for grid connected generators were implemented, the requirements for evaluating the Fault Ride Through capabilities of the generators became stricter. When refurbishing a power unit, proof that the power unit meet the requirements must be submitted to the authorities. Performing simulations of the Fault Ride Through of a production unit is an extensive process and requires advanced simulation models and tools. Therefore, the need for a simplified tool for estimating the Fault Ride Through capability arose, which is what the project produced. Also, knowledge of which production module characteristics (such as the generator parameters, transformer and excitation system) have the largest effect on the Fault Ride Through time, would also be beneficial. Through the creation of Simulink simulation models of two hydropower stations and a sensitivity analysis of station parameters, the relative effect of the parameters on the Fault Ride Through time is estimated and implemented into a time independent Fault Ride Through time estimation tool, based on the Equal Area criterion. The purpose of the time-independent Fault Ride Through time estimation tool is to provide an insight into the approximate transient stability of the hydropower station and which parameters affect the performance the most. Simulations show that the transient reactance of the generator, the generator inertia, the transient time constant and the transformer inductance have the largest effect on the Fault Ride Through capability. The results show that a simplified tool cannot estimate the Fault Ride Through as accurately as a time-domain simulation model can.