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A1_107_2010

CIGRE 2010

Integration of a novel permanent magnet synchronous generator to utility grids using voltage sourced converter technology A. Edris*, F. McElvain Siemens Energy USA N. Danilovic, J. Hell Andritz Hydro Austria J. Pinter Canadian Hydro Developers Canada

SUMMARY
A Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) is in principle a robust, low maintenance, energy-efficient generator. However, due to its inherently low inertia and lack of excitation control, any fault causing a sudden voltage drop at the point of interconnection with the utility grid may force the PMSGs to go out of synchronism and disconnect from the utility grid.. Many Independent System Operators (ISOs) have a Low Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT) requirement to ensure that the generator will remain synchronized following a transmission system voltage drop. The LVRT requirement normally is bound by a specific voltage level and time period. To satisfy the LVRT requirement, PMSGs require external stability controllers. This paper investigates the connection of a hydro power plant consisting of 40 x 2.5 MW PMSGs to a utility grid. The authors propose that the specific application of this paper has general relevance to PMSG grid interconnections. A comprehensive design study aimed at improving stability performance of the PMSGs was conducted. The study approach first looked at optimization of the PMSG design parameters such as; the moment of inertia, generator reactance, and time constants, using a systematic dynamic analysis. Then, various Voltage Sourced Converter (VSC) technologybased stability controllers, as mitigation for the lack of excitation, were analyzed and evaluated. The analyses then conclude with an innovative concept for connection to the utility grid enabling the PMSG project to fulfill the ISO requirements.

KEYWORDS
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator, Voltage Sourced Converters, Low Inertia, Static Synchronous Compensator, Back-to-Back, Low Voltage Ride Through

INRODUCTION
The invention and development of high energy Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) magnets has made it possible to use these materials in constructing relatively large permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs). The main characteristics of the PMSG are the following:

Fixed excitation with constant internal voltage, defined by the geometry and shape of the magnets A low inertia constant (combined runner + PM rotor) 0.1 - 0.4 sec

abdel-aty.edris@siemens.com

A synchronous reactance 40 50% lower than conventional synchronous generators No transient reactance, due to the absence of a field winding A subtransient reactance in the range of 15 to 35 % Inner voltage Eq is in a range from 100 to 130 % of rated voltage The direct-axis reactance Xd is equal to the quadrature-axis reactance Xq The generated reactive power is determined by the difference between the constant internal voltage and the generator terminal voltage The induced voltage is linearly proportional to the generator speed The PMSG is equipped with damper windings which enable the generator to carry inverse currents and to prevent local demagnetization under short circuit conditions.

While the PMSG is a robust, low maintenance and high efficiency generator, it inherently has unusually low inertia and no excitation control. Therefore it creates a challenge for assuring its synchronous stability when connected to a utility grid. These unique characteristics require unconventional analysis methods to identify interconnection details. The subject of this paper is a dynamic system study, with the objectives of determining the capabilities of the generator in meeting system interconnection requirements such as LVRT, voltage regulation, control requirements, operation within off-nominal frequency, etc. The paper presents the results of comprehensive design study scenarios aimed at improving the stability performance of the PMSG. The initial phase of the study focused on optimizing PMSG design parameters such as the moment of inertia, generator reactance, and time constants. All have been optimized based on dynamic performance of the PMSG. The second phase of the study was directed at evaluating various VSC technology-based stability controllers. VSC technology was selected because of its characteristic for providing fast and flexible dynamic voltage support, a characteristic absent from the PMSG design. The analyzed VSC-based Controllers were Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOMs) at different system buses, and a VSC-based back-to-back tie at the point of common connection (PCC) with the utility grid. The study concluded successfully, with the identification of a practical method for the interconnection of a first-time application of a PMSG interconnection to a utility grid, satisfying all applicable reliability standards.

PROPOSED DUNVEGAN HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT

The proposed Dunvegan Hydro Electric Project is a run-of-river facility located on the Peace River in central Alberta, Canada. The run-of-river project will produce power from the flow of the river without the requirement for storing water. Because there is no reservoir necessary for power production, the rivers flow regime will not be regulated or changed. The 100 MW hydro project consists of 40 PMSGs each with an individual rating of 2.5 MW, 3300V at a fixed power factor; a schematic one-line diagram of the PMSGs is shown in figure 1. The average annual energy production of the facility is estimated to be approximately 600 Gwh. The generators are grouped into clusters of 5 PMSGs which are then connected to a step up transformer which raises the voltage to 34.5 kV. The power is then transmitted to a substation via 4 34.5 kV collector circuits each carrying 25 MW. The substation consists of a main power transformer that raises the voltage to 144 kV for connection to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES). The Dunvegan projects proposed connection to the AIES is in the NW region, which is comprised of transmission lines and substations that operate at 240 kV, 144/138 kV, and 72/69 kV. The load in the area is approximately 1200 MW and generation capacity is roughly 700 MW. The transmission system in the NW region is relatively weak and, therefore, must rely on Transmission Must Run (TMR) generation units located in the NW region to provide voltage support and reliability.

The AIES is operated by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) which mandates that the project must meet the Generation and Load Interconnection Standard (G&LI). This standard requires that the facilities voltage, frequency, and power quality are maintained within acceptable limits. Included in the G&LI is the requirement for low voltage ride through (LVRT). LVRT requires that a facility remain in service during system faults causing voltages as low as 0.15 per unit at the high side of the generator step up transformer for 625ms.

Fig. 1 Schematic one-line diagram of PMSGs) - ECOBulbTM Generators Connection

PERMANENT MAGNET SYNCHRONOUS GENERATORS (PMSGs) - ECOBulbTM Generators

The ECOBulbTM generators use NdFeB magnetic material. Depending on the MW output and the number of poles, different shapes of magnets are used to provide a sufficient quality of voltage waveform to meet the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)-limit according to the IEC standard.

Fig. 2 Rotor yoke of PMSG with Permanent Magnet installed

Fig. 3 Cross-section of EcoBulb TM unit

A. Electromagnetic design of PMS PMSGs are equipped with damper windings structured as ring connected copper bars. The bars are located between the permanent magnets and are fixed on the rotor yoke by screws. Due to this arrangement, the generator is able to carry up to 10% negative sequence current, which is in compliance with both the IEC and the IEEE standards for conventional synchronous generators. An additional advantage of damper windings is prevention of local demagnetization of the magnets under short circuit conditions.

NdFeB material has very high specific energy. The permeability of the magnets is typically r = 1.05. The demagnetization curves show that magnetic characteristics depend on temperature. Exceeding a defined maximum allowable temperature of the permanent magnets may lead to reversible or irreversible loss of magnetism.

Fig. 4 Demagnetization Curve of . Fig. 5 Voltage harmonics at no-load operation (linePermanent Magnetic Material to-line voltage) measured on EcoBulbTM units The operating point of the magnet is in the range of 0.6 to 0.8 Tesla. The PMSGs are designed with a maximum magnet temperature of 90C under all normal and abnormal operating conditions. The typical design temperature is 80C. Since the magnetic strength depends on temperature, the induced voltage of the generator is affected by changes in the temperature. Typical temperature coefficients for the magnetic material are 0.09%/C to -0.61%/C for Br and HcJ, respectively. Due to this effect, PMSG inner voltage is higher when the magnets are cold. B. Operating Characteristics of PMSG B.1 Voltage characteristics The induced voltage on generator terminals (at no load conditions) is determined by the designed stator windings, and the shape and geometry of the permanent magnets. The frequency spectrum analysis shown in Fig. 5 is referred to the first harmonic of the line-to-line voltage (=100%). The distortion of the measured voltage is much lower than the permitted limits defined in IEC 60034-1 (THD<5%) and in the IEEE standards. B.2 Operating Diagram / Power Factor Usually, PMSGs are designed with a power factor close to 1.0 at nominal voltage and nominal output power.

Under Excitation

Over Excitation

Fig. 6 Active Power- Reactive Power Characteristics of PMSGs Reactive power of PMSGs to/from the utility grid depends on three factors: voltage at the point of common connection, turbine load, and the magnet temperature. For a constant load and constant

voltage at the point of common connection (PCC), the generator will supply a certain amount of reactive power to the connected grid. If for a given turbine load, the PCC voltage drops, the PMSG will deliver additional reactive power, which is an inherent advantage in terms of voltage stability. B.3 Synchronization Due to the fact that the generator terminal voltage cannot be changed, the only variables controlling the synchronization are the speed and the rotor position, the angle between generator and the utility grid voltage.

PMSG DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE

The dynamic performance of the projected PMSGs was evaluated through comprehensive dynamic simulation studies to improve stability performance of the PMSGs. The primary goal was to satisfy the LVRT criterion. The initial study phase focused on optimizing PMSG design parameters, such as the moment of inertia, generator reactance, and time constants. The second phase of the study was directed at evaluating various VSC technology-based stability controllers. The analyzed VSC-based controllers were Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOMs) at different system buses, and a VSC-based back-to-back tie at the point of common connection (PCC) with the utility grid. The study concluded successfully defining a practical method for PMSGs interconnection to a utility grid, satisfying all applicable reliability standards. Simulation model of the ECOBulbTM machines The mathematical model of the ECOBulbTM machine is similar to the conventional synchronous machine, with the only exception that the field current can be assumed constant. Therefore, when modeling an ECOBulbTM machine in time simulation studies using available generator models for daxis and q-axis, generator field voltage and generator field current are considered to be constant and the open-circuit direct axis transient time constant Tdo will be set to very large value (infinity). The applicable LVRT specified a voltage dip at the PCC down to 15% of the rated voltage and sustained for 625 ms. The voltage dip was simulated in the study by a three phase fault through impedance, resulting in a voltage drop to 15% at the PCC. Optimization of PMSG parameters With no corrective measures taken, as shown in figure 7 below, the PMSGs exhibit an unstable response. The simulation was evaluated for a fault clearing time of 100 ms. Unstable performance can, therefore, also be expected at a fault clearing time of 625 ms, as required by the LVRT.

Fig. 7 Response of the PCC voltage (pu) for 100 ms fault clearance with no measures The first considered measures to improve PMSG dynamic performance was generator design parameter changes such as; the moment of inertia, generator reactance(s), and time constants. The study considered increasing the moment of inertia within the physical constraints of the generator. The study then considered lowering the machine reactance. PMSGs moment of inertia was doubled and the machine reactance(s) were

reduced by approximately 20% from original values. These changes in the design parameters improved the PMSG dynamic performance, although not to the level of full compliance with the ISOs LVRT requirement.

Original inertia constant s Original inertia constant 0.31

Inertia doubled, 0.62 s

Inertia constant doubled

Fig. 8 Response of generator pu speed deviation for 100 ms fault clearance with no measures and with doubled the inertia constant After defining more favorable generator design parameter values, various VSC technology-based stability controllers were evaluated. The analyzed VSC-based Controllers were Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOMs). This study evaluated the deployment of multiple VSCs of various sizes, numbers and locations within the proposed connections of the PMSG. Multiple STATCOMs connected to the collecting buses of the generator clusters has also been considered.

Deployment of Multiple STATCOMs

The approach for the use of STATCOMs was to consider multiple STATCOMs at the collecting buses of the generators clusters.

Original data, no measures

Original data, no measures Inertia constant 0.62 s

2x50 MVA STATCOMs

Two 50 MVA STATCOMs Doubled inertia constant

Fig. 9 Response of generator pu speed deviation for 100 ms fault clearance with no measures, doubled inertia constant, or 2x50 MVA STATCOMs

Original data, no measures

Without STATCOMs 4x25 MVA STATCOMs 2x50 MVA STATCOMs

4x25 MVA STATCOMs

2x50 MVA STATCOMs

Fig. 10 Response of generator pu speed deviation for 100 ms fault clearance with no measures, 2x50 MVA STATCOMs, or 4x25 MVA STATCOMs

Based on the above results, one could conclude that fulfilling the Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) requirements (voltage drop at the PCC to 15% of its nominal value and duration of 625 ms) would be practically impossible considering reasonable ratings of dynamic reactive power compensation and/or feasible magnitude of the inertia constant of the ECOBulbTM generator type As a result, it was envisioned that a voltage sourced converter based back-to-back, connecting the ECOBulbTM generator clusters to the utility grid at the point of common connection, would be the solution to meet the LVRT requirements. Voltage Sourced Converter-based Back-to-Back (VSC-BtB) [1], [2], [3] Voltage Sourced Converter technology offers great flexibility and controllability in terms of providing dynamic voltage support and fully controlled power transfer from one side to the other. A schematic diagram of a VSC-BtB interconnecting the PMSGs with the utility grid is shown in figure 11.
MW Control

Utility Grid

PMSGs Clusters
Voltage Support Voltage Support

Fig. 11 Voltage Sourced Converter-Based Back-to-Back

The functions of the VSC-BtB are the following:

Provides voltage support at the two ends of the BtB Fully controlled power transfer from one end to the other Electrical decoupling of the generators from the utility grid in the sense that a fault on the utility grid side will only result in an increase of the generator speed during fault time and, after clearing the fault, generator will return back to its original speed

The BtB solution is designed to transfer the total power generated by the PMSGs to the utility grid at the steady state operation condition and electrically decouple the PMSGs from the utility grid under fault conditions. The BtB was therefore rated to 100 MVA.

180 ms- Compensated with 8x25 MVA STATCOMs

625 ms- 100 MVA BtB solution

170 ms- Compensated with 8x25 MVA STATCOMs

Fig. 12 Response of generator pu speed deviation at different fault clearance times considering STATCOMs support or VSC-based BtB Figure 12 shows the effectiveness of the VSC-based solutions. The STATCOMs option, with a total of 200 MVA, 8x25 MVA STATCOMs deployed at the common point of the eight generator clusters, the result is a stable performance, however, for fault duration not longer than 170 ms. In contrast, with the BtB option, the result is a stable performance even for a 625 ms fault clearance time. In order to show the robustness of the VSC-based BtB solution, a case was studied for a fault clearance time of 800 ms, which is significantly longer than what is requested by the system operator.

The result, as shown in the figure 13 below, shows that the synchronism of the PMSGs is still maintained.

800 ms

625 ms

Fig. 13 Response of generator pu speed deviation at different fault clearance times with the VSC-based BtB tie

CONCLUSIONS
The paper presents the results of a study for a first-of-its-kind grid interconnection of a PMSG project. The study evaluated generator design parameters and external compensating measures, which resulted in fulfilling the ISOs interconnection requirements successfully. The center piece of this study was the impact of combining VSC technology-based stability Controllers with the PMSG project. The VSC provides voltage regulation, a feature inherently not available from PMSGs. The study resulted in the selection of the VSC technology due to its inherent capability of providing fast and flexible dynamic voltage support, which are the needed characteristics to fulfill the LVRT interconnection criterion. The study concluded successfully, with the identification of a VSC-based Back-to-Back (BtB) tying the PMSGs with the utility grid at the point of common connection. The VSC-based BtB is considered a practical method of interconnection for a first-time application of a PMSG interconnection to a utility grid, satisfying all applicable reliability standards and is also adaptable to other interconnection applications.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
[1] A. Edris, et al, Softening the Blow of Disturbances-Segmentation with Grid Shock Absorbers for Reliability of Large Transmission Interconnections, (IEEE Power & Energy Magazine, vol. 6, pp. 30-41, January-February, 2008) A. Edris, et al, Eagle Pass Back-to-Back Tie, a Dual Purpose Application of Voltage Source Converter Technology, (Procc 2001 IEEE Power Engineering Society Summer Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada, ISBN 0-7803-7175-5) A. Edris, et al, Emerging Application of Voltage Source Converter Technology in Back-toBack Asynchronous Tie, (VII SEPOPE, Curitiba, Brazil, May 2000)

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