State of the Art of Switched Reluctance Generator

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the recent development on the switched reluctance machine operating in generating mode in both the low and high speed operations. The machine consists of a salient rotor and stator poles and controlled via switching of the power electronic devices. There is a steady development of the machine operating in the motoring mode; however, its generating operation is still under study. This paper gives an overview of the machine, followed by the principle of operation in generating mode and briefly discusses the structure and types of control methods which involve the switched reluctance generator (SRG). Due to its geometry simplicity and advantages such as robust, ability to operate over a wide speed range and absence of permanent magnet and windings on the rotor, the SRG promises to be a good candidate for variable speed application.