A Novel Variable-Speed Renewable-Energy Generation System of Induction Generator and PWM Converter for Small-Scale Hybrid Power Applications

This paper presents a simple AC-DC power conditioner for a squirell-cage induction generator(IG) operating under variable shaft speeds. The necessary reactive power for the IG system is supplied by means of a capacitor bank and a voltage-source PWM converter. Using a capacitor bank to transfer the reactive power to the IG under the rated speed and no-load conditions starts the IG operation and reduces the PWM power converter size. A simple control compensating for changes in the electrical loads as well as the variation in speed was developed to regulate the voltages of the IG system by controlling the rotor flux through its reactive and active currents control implementation. This proposed power conditioning scheme can be used efficiently as a wind power generation system where the output voltage of the IG is maintained constant voltage despite the variable frequency and the DC bus voltage of the PWM converter can be used for either DC applications such as battery charging or AC power applications with 60/50 Hz by connecting a stand alone inverter. The experimental and simulated operating performance results of a 5 kW IG scheme at various speeds and leads are presented.