An electronic solution for the direct connection of a three-phase induction generator to a single-phase feeder

Abstract

This paper proposes a solution for the direct connection of a three-phase induction generator to a single-phase feeder. This high power quality system is intended to be used in micro-hydro power plants applications with control of the water flow. It is employed to maintain the speed of the induction generator greater than its synchronous value. The difference between the generated power and the power consumed by the local load flows through the single-phase feeder. The power flow control is provided by a three-phase PWM inverter that additionally guarantees the local power quality. A system with good power quality must have sinusoidal and constant amplitude voltages, fixed frequency operation, balanced induction generator voltages and currents, harmonics and reactive power compensation. The paper describes the inverter control strategy, presents design criteria of the controllers, and shows experimental results.