Analysis of the electrical characteristics of a Westinghouse variable speed generating system for wind turbine applications
Abstract
Variable speed electric generating technology can enhance the general use of wind energy in electric utility applications. This enhancement results from two characteristic properties of variable speed wind turbine generators: an improvement in drive train damping characteristics, which results in reduced structural loading on the entire wind turbine system, and an improvement in the overall efficiency by using a more sophisticated electrical generator. Electronic converter systems are the focus of this investigation, particularly the properties of a Westinghouse variable-speed, constant-frequency system with wound-rotor induction generator and a cycloconverter. Experience with solid-state converter systems in large wind turbines is extremely limited. This report presents measurements of electrical performances of the Westinghouse system and is limited to the terminal characteristics of the system. Variable speed generating systems working effectively in utility applications will require a satisfactory interface between the turbine-generator pair and the utility network. The electrical testing described herein focuses largely on the interface characteristics of the generating system. A MOD-0 wind turbine was connected to a very strong system; thus, the voltage distortion was low and the total harmonic distortion in the utility voltage was less than 3 percent (within the 5 percent limit required by most utilities). The largest voltage component of a frequency below 60 Hz was 40 dB down from the 60-Hz component.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- February 1988
- Bibcode:
- 1988STIN...8826721H
- Keywords:
-
- Electric Generators;
- Electrical Properties;
- Wind Turbines;
- Windpower Utilization;
- Windpowered Generators;
- Control Systems Design;
- Energy Conversion Efficiency;
- Waveforms;
- Wind Velocity;
- Energy Production and Conversion