Improved LVRT capability and power smoothening of DFIG wind turbine systems

Abstract

This paper proposes an application of energy storage devices (ESD) for low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) capability enhancement and power smoothening of doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbine systems. A grid-side converter (GSC) is used to maintain the DC-link voltage. Meanwhile, a machine-side converter (MSC) is used to control the active and reactive powers independently. For grid disturbances, the generator output power can be reduced by increasing the generator speed, resulting in an increased inertial energy of the rotational body. Design and control techniques for the energy storage devices are introduced, which consist of current and power control loops. Also, the output power fluctuation of the generator due to wind speed variations can be smoothened by controlling the ESD. The validity of the proposed method has been verified by PSCAD/EMTDC simulation results for a 2 MW DFIG wind turbine system and by experimental results for a small-scale wind turbine simulator.