EuroCon 2013 1-4 July 2013 Zagreb, Croatia

Induction Generator Using AC/DC/AC

PWM Converters and Its Application To The
Wind-Energy Systems
Adel MEHDI#1, Abdelmalek BOULAHIA#2, Houssam MEDOUCE#3, Hocine BENALLA#4
#

Electrotechnic Department University of Mentouri

Ain el-bey 25000 Constantine, ALGERIA
1

2
3

adel_hdm@yahoo.com
boulahiamalek@yahoo.fr
b.houssam19@hotmail.fr
4
benalladz@yahoo.fr

Abstract This paper proposes basic concepts of a fixed speed

wind turbine (FSWT), as an introduction to a modern wind
turbine concept; also, energy extraction from the wind turbine, in
order to highlight the utility of the DPC in the field of the quality
of the electric power. The VOC will be compared with structure
known as DPC [1] applied to IG wind turbine connected to the
network using back-to-back PWM converters. The theoretical
principle of this method is discussed. From the simulation results,
it is shown that DPC-2L displays several features, such as a
simple algorithm and good dynamic response.

are very susceptible to the weather effect and other external

actions.
To provide consumers with a good quality of electric
power, even in the operating conditions of the most disturbed,
several solutions are proposed [4,11], one of the innovative
solutions proposed direct power control "DPC"[5]. This
technique is based on the concept of direct torque control
"DTC" applied to electrical machines. The objective is to
directly control the active and reactive power in a PWM
rectifier; the same principle has been applied previously to
control the torque and flux in electrical machinery alternatives.
In our case we have applied DPC to wind generation systems.

The turbine side converter is controlled by the structure

known Indirect Field Oriented Control (IFOC) in tow case [2].
Both VOC and DPC are simulated using MATLAB software to
illustrate the performance of each technic.
Keywords: back-to-back PWM converters, Direct power control,
Voltage oriented control, Wind power, power quality, squirrel cage
induction generators (SCIG).

I. INTRODUCTION
uring the last years the low and medium voltage networks
have been connected with new active systems such as
wind turbines, photovoltaic systems, storage devices, units of
improvement the quality of power and other. Almost all of
these new systems are connected to the grid by VSC (VSC
Voltage Source Converter) with a filter. The rectifier at two
levels based on a PWM control was typically used as robust
and highly effective solution. Power electronics is becoming
increasingly used by various systems related to power
generation, and industrial equipment. Among the generating
systems are cited, the wind power is growing rapidly around
the world. This expansion is due to research efforts in this
domain. So, wind turbines are widely developed as an
alternative energy source in providing a cost-effective option
in the energy market. Therefore, the wind sector shows great
interest for direct connection of these units for medium
voltage networks for future developments [3].
Furthermore, liberalization of the electricity market
stimulates new ideas as in the case of power quality [3]. The
distribution and transport are usually based on the airlines and

II.

978-1-4673-2232-4/13/$31.00 2013 IEEE

WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS

Figure 1. Induction machine (SCIG) based wind turbine [6].

A. Wind Turbine Induction Generator

1038

The wind turbine and the induction generator (WTIG) are

shown in Figure1. The stator winding is connected by back-toback PWM converters (AC/DC/AC) to the grid and the rotor
is driven by the wind turbine. The power captured by the wind
turbine is converted into electrical power by the induction
generator and is transmitted to the grid by the stator winding.
The back-to-back PWM converters are controlled in order to
limit the generator output power to its nominal value for
variable wind speeds. In order to generate power the induction
generator speed must be slightly above the synchronous speed.
But the speed variation is typically so small that the WTIG is
considered to be a fixed-speed wind generator. The reactive
power absorbed by the induction generator is provided by the
grid or by some devices like capacitor banks, SVC,
STATCOM or synchronous condenser [6].
The fixed speed is related to the fact that an asynchronous
machine coupled to a fixed frequency electrical network

EuroCon 2013 1-4 July 2013 Zagreb, Croatia

rotates at a quasi-fixed mechanical speed inndependent of the

wind speed.

0.5

B. Wind velocity

0.4

The wind speed is a three-dimensional vector. However,

the direction of the vector wind speed in the vertical axis is not
important in terms of the wing wind because it is not seen by
its active surface. For simplification, the velocity vector is
moving in the horizontal plane The verticaal axis blades are
devoid of any device orientation of the blades
b
(the active
surface is always facing the wind), then the behavioural
b
pattern
of the wind is simplified considerably. The wind speed can
therefore be modelled as a scalar function that changes over
time [3].

X: 8.147B=0
Y: 0.48

Cpmax

B=5

Cp

0.3
0.2

B=10

0.1
B=220

B=15

0
lamdanoom
0

10

15

lamda
Figure 3. Wind tuurbine characteristics

A generic equation is used to

t model . This equation,
based on the modeling turbine characteristics
c
of [7], is

With

Figure 2. Wind velocity



i this study, as
The wind speed will be modelled in
determined by a sum of several harmonics in the form


The characteristiics, for different values of the

pitch angle, are illustrated inn Figure 3. The maximum value
of ( = 0.48) is achievved for = 0 degree and for =
8.1. This particular value of is defined as the nominal value
( ).

C. Wind Turbine

The model is based on the steeady-state power

characteristics of the turbine. The stiffness of
o the drive train is
infinite and the friction factor and the inerrtia of the turbine
must be combined with those of the generaator coupled to the
turbine. The output power of the turbine is given by the
following equation [7].

D. Asynchronous Machine



The electrical part of thee machine is represented by a

fourth-order state-space modell and the mechanical part by a
second-order system. All elecctrical variables and parameters
are referred to the stator. All stator
s
and rotor quantities are in
the arbitrary two-axis referencee frame (dq frame) [8].

Where

Mechanical output power of

o the turbine (W)

Performance coefficient off the turbine

Air density (kg/m3)




Turbine swept area (m )

Wind speed (m/s)

Tip speed ratio of the rotorr blade tip speed to

wind speed

Blade pitch angle (deg)

978-1-4673-2232-4/13/$31.00 2013 IEEE



The coefficients  to  arre:  = 0.5176,  = 116,  =

0.4,  = 5,  = 21 and  = 0..0068.





Figure 4. IG electtric equivalent model

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EuroCon 2013 1-4 July 2013 Zagreb, Croatia

Electrical System













The speed controller is based on a PI regulator. The outputs

of this regulator are set points for the torque applied to the
IFOC controller.


Figure 5. Speed Controller

Mechanical System

Where






III.








BACK-TO-BACK POWER ELECTRONIC CONVERTER

Vector Control of the Machine Side Converter

The induction generator is fed by a current-controlled
PWM converter which is built using a forced-commutated
device (MOSFET). The speed control loop uses a proportionalintegral controller to produce the quadrature-axis current
reference iq* which controls the motor torque. The motor flux
is controlled by the direct-axis current reference id*. Block
DQ-ABC is used to convert id* and iq* into current references
ia*, ib*, and ic* for the PWM modulator. Current and Voltage
Measurement blocks provide signals for visualization purpose.
Revolution speed, current, and torque signals are available at
the output of the 'Asynchronous Machine' block [2, 18].
A.



Machine current(A)

Simulations results
50

-50
4

4.02

4.04 4.06





4.08 4.1 4.12 4.14

Time (s)

600
400
200
0

6
Time (s)

Figure 8. Machine speed (IFOC)

978-1-4673-2232-4/13/$31.00 2013 IEEE

4.16 4.18

Figure 7. Induction machine current (IFOC)

Machine speed(rpm)

Figure 6. Indirect Field Oriented Controller [9]

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10

EuroCon 2013 1-4 July 2013 Zagreb, Croatia

Simulations results
200

-200
-400
0

1000

Voltage Vdc(v)

10

Time (s)

800
600
400
200
0

B.

10

Time (s)

Figure 9. Electromagnetic Torque Te (N.m)

Vector Control of the Grid Side Converter

Grid Voltage Oriented Vector Control

Figure 11. DC link voltage (VOC)

50

The grid side converter is in charge of controlling part of

the power flow of the IG. This power flow that goes through
the stator flows also through the DC link and finally is
transmitted by the grid side converter to the grid [13]. The
simplified block diagram of the grid side system, together with
a schematic of its control block diagram, is given in Figure 10.

-50
4

4.02

4.04 4.06

4.08 4.1 4.12 4.14

Time (s)

4.16 4.18

Fundamental (50Hz) = 50.94 , THD= 2.93%

Mag (% of Fundamental)

1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0

Figure 10. Grid voltage oriented vector control

15

20

Figure 12. Grid current and THD (VOC)

The output voltage of the converter, are generated in order

to control the voltage of the DC link and the reactive power
exchanged with the grid. This is done, in general, according to
a closed loop control law. Some typical controls are vector
control or direct power control. However, in this section we are
studies the grid voltage oriented vector control (GVOVC) [10].
On the other hand, control of DC link voltage is necessary
since, the DC link is mainly formed by a capacitor. Thus, the
active power flow through the stator must cross the DC link
and then it must be transmitted to the grid. Therefore, by only
controlling the Vdc variable to a constant value, this active
power flow through the converters is ensured, together with a
guarantee that both grid and machine side converters have
available the required DC voltage to work properly.

Direct power control

Direct power control is based on the same control

principles as the direct torque control technic. The unique
difference is the directly controlled variables. In the case of
DTC, the electromagnetic torque and the rotor flux are directly
controlled, while in DPC, the stator active and reactive powers
are directly controlled.

Since, for this control the magnitudes that must be

measured are the grid side current and voltage, together with
the DC link voltage [6].

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In a similar way, one variable that can also be controlled

with this schema is the reactive power exchange with the grid.
In general, it can take different values depending on which
current are to be minimized.

978-1-4673-2232-4/13/$31.00 2013 IEEE

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Harmonic order

Table I



Switching Table

0
0
1
1

0
1
0
1

EuroCon 2013 1-4 July 2013 Zagreb, Croatia

Active power(w)

x 10
8
6
4
2
0

10

Time (s)

Figure 16. Active power (DPC)

Figure 7 shows the behaviour of the current generated by

the induction machine (SCIG) with a root mean square value of
35(A) and a frequency of 16.66 (Hz), this value of frequency
produce the mechanical speed of the rotor given under the
Figure 8 this speed is approximately of 52 rad/s at t=4s
( )

DC link voltage Vdc(v)

Figure 13. Grid direct power control (DPC)

g

A negative electromagnetic torque is applied to the shaft of

the induction machine in Figure 9 that means The
Asynchronous Machine operates in generator mode, we notes
that the torque is around his nominal value 240 (N.m), however
the machine acts as a motor mode (t=7 s) if the speed of wind
is too low (t=7 s; wind velocity is 2 m/s), thus the mode of
operation is dictated by the sign of the mechanical torque.

1000
800
600
400
200
0

10

Time (s)

The voltage of the DC link capacitor is controlled using

voltage oriented control, the response is showed in Figure 11
we can see the dynamic behaviour by the rise time which to
reach (2 s) with a overshoot ratio 14%.

Grid current(A)

Figure 14. DC link voltage (DPC)

50

At (t=7 s), a big variation in the rotor speed is appeared.

We can see that the dynamic response of the DC regulator to
this sudden variation in the rotor speed (52 rad/s to 41 rad/s) is
not satisfactory. The DC voltage is back to 900 V within 100
cycles (f=50Hz).

0
-50
4

4.02

4.04 4.06

4.08 4.1 4.12 4.14

Time (s)

4.16 4.18

The current waveform can also be identified in the

Figure.12; the FFT Analysis displays the frequency spectrum
of the grid current. As expected, The Total Harmonic
Distortion (THD) is displayed above the spectrum
(THD=2.93%).

Fundamental (50Hz) = 54.13 , THD= 13.63%

Mag (% of Fundamental)

At (t=4 s to 4.2 s) the current to be injected to the grid gives

a good waveform his frequency is f= 50 Hz and the RMS value
is 35A.

Now the grid side converter is controlled using another

algorithm known the direct power control the response voltage
of the DC link capacitor, is showed in Figure 14 we can see
also the dynamic behaviour by the rise time which to reach just
one second (1s) with a overshoot ratio11%.

10
Harmonic order

15

20

But the grid current waveform is not satisfactory witch

deliver a bad total harmonic distortion (THD=13.63) however a
small simple time Ts=2e-5s (Fs=50 KHz) is used [14, 15, 17].

Figure 15. Grid current and THD (DPC)

Table II

Parameters used in simulation

Power
37 kW
Grid voltage
250V
DC link voltage
900V
Current
35A
Switching frequency(voc) 2.5kHz
Grid frequency
50 Hz

The power active controlled is shown in the last Figure 16

we can see that in motoring mode the induction machine
absorbed a great power due to the load torque and the inertia of
the turbine.

Grid side inductor

2e-3H
Grid side resistor
3.87e-3
DC link capacitor
1e-3F
Load resistor(DC link)
34.4
Simple time (VOC)
1e-4s
Simple time (DPC)
2e-5s

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EuroCon 2013 1-4 July 2013 Zagreb, Croatia

IV.

COMPARISON BETWEEN DPC AND VOC

REFERENCES

Table III Advantages of DPC and VOC

Technique
VOC

DPC

Advantages
*Fixed switching Freq. (easier design input filter)
*Advanced PWM strategies can be used
*Cheap A/D converters
*Good steady state performance
*No separate PWM block
*No current regulation loop
*No coordinate transformation
*Good dynamics performances
*Simple algorithm
*Decoupled active and reactive power control
*Instantaneous variables with all harmonics components
estimated (improve power factor and efficiency)

[1]

Zhang Yingchao, Zhao Zhengming, Mohamed Eltawil and Yuan

Liqiang. Performance Evaluation of Three Control Strategies for
Three-Level Neutral Point Clamped PWM Rectifier. IEEE inst.
Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China., 2008

[2]

Marian P. Kamierkowski Control Strategies for PWM

Rectifier/inverter-Fed Induction Motors ISIE'2000, Cholula, Puebla,
Mexico

[3]

MIRECKI, Adam. Etude comparative de chanes de conversion

dnergie ddies une olienne de petite puissance. Thse.
TOULOUSE: N dordre : 2213,, 5 avril 2005.

[4]

A. Lpez, de Heredia. Commandes Avancees Des Systemes Dedies A

Lamelioration De La Qualite De Lenergie :De La Basse Tension A La
Montee En Tension. thse doctorat. GRENOBLE, Gnie Electrique.
,14 novembre 2006.

[5]

T. Noguchi, H. Tomiki S. Kondo et I. Takahashi. Direct Power

Control of PWM Converter without Power Source Voltage Sensors..
IEEE Trans. Ind. Applicat. vol. 34. n 3, . May/June 1998. pp. 473-479.

[6]

G.Abad, J.Lopez, M.Rodriguez,L.Marroyo,G.Iwanski. DOUBLY FED

INDUCTION MACHINE-Modeling and control for wind energy
generation-. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New
Jersey. s.d.

[7]

Siegfried Heier, "Grid Integration of Wind Energy Conversion

Systems," John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 1998, ISBN 0-471-97143-X

[8]

Krause, P.C., O. Wasynczuk, and S.D. Sudhoff, Analysis of Electric

Machinery, IEEE Press, 2002.

[9]

Bose, B. K., Modern Power Electronics and AC Drives, Prentice-Hall,

N.J., 2002.

[10]

Sylvain, LECHAT SANJUAN. . Voltage Oriented Control of

ThreePhase Boost PWM Converters. Master of Science Thesis in
Electric Power Engineering. Gteborg. CHALMERS UNIVERSITY,.
2010.

[11]

E.Tremblay, S.Atayde and A.Chandra. Direct Power Control of a

DFIG-based WECS with Active Filter Capabilities. IEEE Electrical
Power & Energy Conference,. 2009. pp.1-6.

[12]

J. Restrepo, J. Viola,, et J. M. Aller, et A. Bueno. A simple switch

selection state for SVM direct power control. in Proc. IEEE Int. Symp.
Ind. Electron. Vol. 2. Montreal, QC. Jul 2006. pp. 11121116.

[13]

J.Hu, L.Shang, Y.He, Z.Q.Zhu,. Direct Active and Reactive Power

Regulation of Grid-Connected DC/AC Converters Using Sliding Mode
Control Approach. IEEE TRANS, POWER ELECTRONICS. Vol. 26.
n 1. JANUARY 2011.

[14]

L. A. Serpa and J. W. Kolar, S. Ponnaluri P. M. Barbosa. A Modified

Direct Power Control Strategy Allowing the Connection of Three-Phase
Inverter to the Grid through LCL Filters. Proc. IAS05, . vol. 1. Oct
2005. . pp 565-571.

[15]

L. A. Serpa, J.W.Kolar. Virtual-Flux Direct Power Control for Mains

Connected Three-Level NPC Inverter Systems. . 2007.

[16]

M. Malinowski, M. J. Jasinski et M.P. Kazmierkowski. Simple Direct

Power Control of Three-Phase PWM Rectifier Using Space-Vector
Modulation (DPC-SVM). IEEE Trans. Ind. Applicat. Vol. 51. n 2.
April 2004. pp. 447-454.

[17]

M.Malinowski, G.Marques, M.P.Kazmierkowski. New Direct Power

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Table IV Disadvantages of DPC and VOC

Technique

VOC

DPC

Disadvantages
*Coordinate transformation and decoupling between
active and reactive components is required
*Complex algorithm
*Input power factor lower than for DPC
*Dynamic response is slower than that of DPC control
*High inductance and sample frequency needed
*Power and voltage estimation should be avoid at the
moment of switching
*Variable switching frequency
*Fast microprocessor and A/D converters required

V.

CONCLUSION

This paper has described two concepts to improve the total

power factor and efficiency of the PWM converter. The first
key point of the method is direct instantaneous active and
reactive power control of the converter, and the second one is
an indirect technique voltages oriented control. The active and
reactive power can be regulated directly by relay control of the
power, which is implemented by using several comparators and
a switching table. In this configuration, the errors between the
power commands and the feedback signals are compared by
the hysteresis elements, and the specific switching state of the
converter is appropriately selected by the switching table, so
that the errors can be restricted within the hysteresis bands
A good steady state performance could be obtained with
VOC and also current control could be easier implemented
compared with the other technic. On all accounts, it can be
concluded that all the two control schemes can offer
satisfactory performance while each has itself particular merits
and drawbacks. The selection of the optimal scheme should
therefore depend on the specific application.
The renewable energy based on the wind Conversion
Systems need a robust algorithms and a good dynamic
response witch can always supported the sudden variation of
the wind speed. The DPC become more suitable if we
combined it with other techniques to give DPC-SVM [12, 16].

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