State Of The Art of Electronic Load Controller of Self- Excited Asynchronous Generator Used In Mini / Micro Hydro Power Generation

ACEEE International Journal on Control System and Instrumentation, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2010

State Of The Art of Electronic Load Controller
of Self- Excited Asynchronous Generator Used
In Mini / Micro Hydro Power Generation
K. Subramanian*, K. K. Ray*, K. Hari Prasad, Nand Gopal.E, Nimisha Gupta,
Nirupama.V, Pragyajha and Meenakshi Sinha
*Power Electronics Division, School of Electrical Engineering
VIT University
Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India, 632 014
1
Email id: ksubramanian@vit.ac.in

Abstract— This paper describes the perception of the load 120 × f
mover above the synchronous speed ( N s = )
controller of a self-excited asynchronous generator with p
constant power generation. Different load controller has
been reviewed. A simulation study of a simple electronic
with sufficient capacitor bank is connected in the stator
load controller was done using MATLAB/Simulink winding it can generate voltage. Here the prime mover
software. Performances of an asynchronous generator characteristic is calibrated with a separately excited
with electronic load controller have been evaluated. direct current motor characteristic and used as a prime
Discussions have been done over the simulation results. mover of this asynchronous motor.

Index Terms—first term, second term, third term, fourth
term, fifth term, sixth term

I. INTRODUCTION
At present scenario, to decentralize the power
generation system attempt has been in generating small
power and distributing it locally. This prompted the use
of the wind and solar energy to cope with energy crises. Fig. 1 Schematic arrangement of proposed asynchronous generator
In such areas, Self excited asynchronous generator
(SEAG) has emerged as a possible solution because of
its low cost, less maintenance, brushless construction III. VOLTAGE CONTROLLER
etc [1]-[3]. However, it requires a suitable controller to
regulate the voltage due to variation of consumer loads. A. Contoller Concept
Since SEAG has poor voltage regulation [4]–[5] it The induction generator is a source of real power and
requires a suitable voltage controller to regulate the absorbs reactive power while most system loads absorb
voltage due to variation of consumer loads. From the real and reactive power. Grid independent self-excited
characteristics of an SEAG voltage generation, it is asynchronous generators exhibit poor voltage
essential to have a load balancer at the machine regulation of mini / micro Hydel applications. Since the
terminals to maintain constant voltage for constant mechanical input remains constant, single power point
power operation. operation of SEAG is made use of. The capacitor
A terminal impedance controller of an asynchronous
excitation of SEAG is fixed such that it gives rated
generator has been developed in 1990’s there after it
output at rated speed and
has been modified by different authors. The aim of this
work is to list out the controller development and also the load connected is controlled such that the SEIG
to study the performances of SEAG with a simple always sees a constant load at its terminals.
electronic load controller for a mini / micro hydro B. Asynchronous Generator Controller
power generations using MAT LAB / Simulink
Professor N. P. A. Smith [6] developed a new
software.
voltage regulator based on the intrinsic characteristics
of the turbine and induction machine for mini/micro–
II. ASYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR hydro power generation system. He had been
Asynchronous generator shown in Fig. 1 is basically implemented the voltage controller using phase angle
an induction machine, if its rotor is driven by prime control technique, switched binary–weighted loads and
variable mark-space ratio. The same technique is

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© 2010 ACEEE
DOI: 01.ijcsi.01.01.05


reproduced to understand basic concept of the load III. LOAD CONTROLLERS
balancer is shown in Fig. 2. The voltage and frequency is controlled separately
In phase angle control, the power dissipation in the by means of a voltage controller and an electronic load
ballast is varied by controlling the delay angle. Phase controller in a synchronous generator. But in case of
angle control is often used with synchronous generators an induction machine it not possible so electronic load
but is less appropriate for induction generators, because controller to compensate the variations in the main load
of the variable lagging power factor produced as a by automatically varying the amount of power
result of the ballast current lagging the voltage. This dissipated in a resistive load, known as the ‘ballast’
increases the frequency variation already present due to load, in order to keep the total load constant.
lagging power factor main loads.
Binary-weighted controllers switch in fixed steps of A. Terminal Impedance Controller
resistance. They have the advantage of producing unity R. Bonert and S. Rajakaruna [7]-[8] developed a
power factor ballast and they do not cause any load controller using controlled converter and d.c
waveform distortion. The main disadvantage of binary chopper is shown in Fig. 3. It regulates voltage and
weighted controllers for micro-hydro schemes is the frequency by balancing the amount of real and reactive
complexity resulting from using a number of ballast power either produced or absorbed. In this controller
loads, each with its connections, wires and switching both phase control and mark-space ration control
device. techniques are used.
A variable mark-space ratio chopping produces a
variable unity power factor load with just single ballast.

Fig. 3 Impedance controller

(a) Ballast current wave form for a phase angle
controller
B . Generalised impedance Controller
J. K. Chatterjee, B. Venkatesa Permual and Naveen
Reddy Gopu [9] modify the terminal impedance
controller shown in Fig, 4 using voltage source pulse
width -modulated bidirectional inverter with d.c battery
source. The modulation index and phase angle control
techniques are used to control the effective impedance
(b) Ballast controller
of the system.

(c) Binary weighted load
Fig. 4 Generalized impedance controller

C. Electronic Load Controller
S. S. Murthy et al [11] developed the uncontrolled
rectifier and d.c chopper based electronic load
controller shown in Fig. 5. Even though it does not
(d)Basic switching circuit for single phase mark-space ratio produced or absorb the any types of Var injected or
taken away from the system. However mark-space ratio
Fig. 2 (a), (b), (c) & (d) Load controller basic circuit control technique is used to control the power balances
in the system and dump load resistor (RD).

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Fig. 6 Power electronic based load controller

Fig. 5 Electronic load controller
IV. SIMULATION
Design, analyses and implementation of the
The simulation studies on performances of SEAG
electronic load controller has been done by Bhim Singh
have been done with simple electronic load controller
et al [12]-[14]. The same team also modifies the
shown in Fig. 5. Since the controller cost and logic of
electronic load controller and also implemented in
control is made easy in simple electronic load
different configuration of the self-excited induction
controller for Pico/ micro/mini power generator. Fig.7
generator stator connections like star, delta, and star
depicted the simulation block diagram. The machine
with and without neutral connections. Fig. 6 depicted
details and data are shown in table-1.
the modified electronic load controller.
TABLE 1
MACHINE PARAMETERS
Voltage 415
Power 2.2.kW
Frequency 50
Stator resistance 0.0758 p.u
Stator inductance 0.0924 p.u
Rotor resistance 0.075 p.u
Rotor inductance 0.09 p.u
Mutual inductance 1.5
Inertia constant 0.044
Friction factor 0.01
Pairs of pole 2

Fig. 6 Modified electronic load controller

D. AC/DC/AC converter based Impedance controller
A new load controller shown in Fig. 6 was
developed using AC/DC/AC converter by the authors
[15]-[18]. A change in the RLC series circuit behaviors
can changes the system effective impedances. By
changing the inverter frequency below the resonance
frequency of the current passing through the series
RLC circuit can reduce the input power factor. This
seems to be the leading Var injection (or addition of
external capacitor) into the system. Even though it
Fig. 7 Simulation model of SEASG with ELC
balances the load power it can’t import the power into
the system because the frond end converter is a
unidirectional switch. Hence the control range is
limited by the components ratings.

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V. RESULT connected to the system at 0.8s. The corresponding
Simulation was carried out with ode 23 stiff solvers load currents and load voltages are shown in Fig. 9(b)
for one second using power system tools in and Fig. 9(c) respectively. The performances of SEAG
.MATLAB / Simulink 7.2 version. Closed loop control with electronic controller (closed loop control) are
(shown in Fig.8 (a) & (b)) has been developed. shown in Fig. 10. The output voltage and current wave
forms are shown in Fig. 10(b), Fig.10(c), Fig.10 (e) &
10

REF
PI

Di screte
<= Fig.10 (f) in closed loop control feed back signal is
taken from the voltage sensing unit also converted into
1 PI Con trol l er
si gnal Rel at io nal
Operator g1

its absolute values. It is compared with the reference
cw T o Workspa ce2
1 g1
T o Workspace3

signal (constant value of 10 refers the full load power).
v_si g

T o Workspace
e rr

The error signal is gained with PI controller of the gain
T o Workspa ce1

8 (a) 0.1(both k p & k i ). The out put of the Pi controller is
compared with the ramp signal of frequency 600Hz is
shown in Fig. 10(d) (switching frequency of d.c
1
A +
+
-
v 1 chopper) and the gate signals(shown in Fig. 10(h)) is
Va B -

2
1 2
signal
generated.
Vb

VI. CONCLUSION
(b)
Fig. 8 Closed loop control circuit and feed back signal generation Asynchronous generator is the best choice among
the other generators for electrification of remote area
like hills. It is adequate to generate a Pico/micro/mini
power and also suitable generation with constant head
hydro power generation. But a simple voltage regulator
is necessary to regulate the voltage. Electronic load
controller (uncontrolled rectifier with d.c chopper) is
sufficient even though it does not support the leading
Var, because most of the lighting systems are
inductive(less number) and resistive network.
Fig. 9Simulation result of SEASG with out electronic load
controller ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors acknowledge the management of
Vellore Institute of Technology University, Vellore,
India, 632014 for their support and keen interest in
promoting the research and development in the Power
Electronics Division by providing all the required
facilities and resources.
REFERENCES
[1] C. F. Wanger, “Self-Excitation Of Induction Motors,”
AIEE Trans., vol. 58, pp. 47–51, 1939.
[2] S. S. Murthy, O. P. Malik, and A. K. Tandon, “Analysis
of self excited induction generator,” Proc. Inst. Elect.
Eng. C, vol. 129, no. 6, pp. 260–265, Nov. 1982
[3] G. Raina and O. P. Malik, “Wind Energy Conversion
Using A Self-Excited Induction Generator,” IEEE Trans.
Power App. Syst., vol. PAS -102, no. 12, pp. 3933–3936,
Dec. 1983.
[4] J.K.Chatterjee, B.M. Doshi and K.K.Ray, “ A New
method for thyristor phase controlled Var compensator”,
IEEE/PES winter meeting 89.WM 133 – OPWRS, New
Fig. 10 Simulation results of SEASG with Electronic load controller Yark, 1989.
[5] K. K. Ray, “ Performance Evaluation of A Novel Var
Fig. 9 illustrates the performance of SEASG without Controller And Its Application In Brushless Stand Alone
electronic load controller. Initially the rotor speed is Power Generation,” Ph.D. Thesis, department of
1544 rpm (shown in Fig. 9(a) at thereafter it reduced to Electrical Engineering, IIT Delhi, India,1990.
1525 rpm. It should be settled at 1540 rpm in .85 [6] N. P. A. Smith, “ Induction Generators For Stand Alone
seconds finally. The R, L load is connected to the Micro – Hydro Systems”, IEEE proceeding, of
machine terminals at 0.4s and an additional load also International conference on Power Electronics,drives and

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© 2010 ACEEE
DOI: 01.ijcsi.01.01.05


Energy System For Industrial Growth, 1996 pp 669 – AC/DC/AC Converter Fed RLC series Circuit in an
673. Isolated Power generation System”, Proceeding of
[7] R. Bonert and S. Rajakaruna, “Self-Excited Induction International conference on Recent Trends in
Generator with Excellent Voltage and Frequency Information, Telecommunication and Computing , ITC
Control”, IEE Proceeding -Generation, Transmission & 2010, Published in IEEE Explore, , 28 -29th December,
Distribution, Vol. 145, No. I. January I998, pp 31 -39. 2009, Kerala, , log. No 978-0-7695-3975-1/10 $25.00 ©
[8] R. Bonert and G. Hoops, “Stand Alone Induction 2010 IEEE DOI 10.1109/ITC.2010.60,pp 80-84.
Generator with Terminal Impedance Controller And No [18] Mat Lab software package.
Turbine Controls”, The LEEE Energy Development and
Power Generation Committee of the IEEE Power K. Subramanian
Engineering Society for presentation at the IEEE/PES He received B.E degree in Electrical and
1989 Summer Meeting, Long Beach, California, July 9 - Electronics Engineering and M.E degree in
14, 1989. pp 28 -32.
Power System from National Institute of
[9] S. S. Murthy, Bhim Singh, Ashish Kulkarni, R. Sivarajan
and Sushma Gupta,“Field Eperiences on A Novel Pico – Technology (Formerly Regional
Hydel System using Self-Excited Induction Generator and Engineering College), Thiruchirappalli-15 in 1994 and 1998.
Electronic load controller” IEEE proceeding, pp 842 – His research interest is Induction generator, Electrical
847. Machines, Modeling & Simulation, Power Electronics
[10] Bhim Singh, S. S. Murthy and Sushma Gupta, “Analysis applications in Reactive Power Control.
and Design of Electronic Load Controller for Self-Excited
Induction Generators” IEEE Transactions on Energy
K. K. Ray
Conversion, Vol. 21, No. 1, March 2006, pp 285 – 293.
[11] Bhim Singh, S. S. Murthy and Sushma Gupta, “Transient He obtained his B.E degree in Electrical
Analysis of Self-Excited Induction Generator with and Electronics Engineering from
Electronic Load Controller ELC) Supplying Static and Jadavpur University, M.Tech degree in
Dynamic Loads”, IEEE Transactions on Industry Solid State Control from IIT, Kanpur and
Applications, Vol. 41, No. 5, September/October 2005 Ph.D from IIT, Delhi. Former Professor Indian School of
[12] Bhim Singh, S. S. Murthy and Sushma Gupta, “An Mines, Presently senior Professor, VIT University, India, His
Improved Electronic Load Controller for Self-Excited
area of Interest is Power Electronics Electrical Machines and
Induction Generator in Micro-Hydel Applications”, IEE
proceeding 2003, pp 2741 -2746. Reactive power Control
[13] S. S. Murthy, Rini jose and Bhim Singh, “A practical load
controller for stand alone small hydro system using Self- K. Hari Prasad
Excited Induction Generator”, IEEE Proceeding 1998 pp He received B.Tech degree in Electronics
359 – 364. and Instrumentation Engineering from
[14] Subramanian Kulandhaivelu and Ray K.K. “Investigation Sreenivasa Institute of Technology and
On Loading Effect of a Series Resonance Circuit on
Management Studies, Andhra Pradesh in
Asynchronous Generator With AC-DC-AC Converter as
a Load Balancer” Proceeding of 2nd International 2007. He is currently pursuing Master of Technology in Power
conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering & Electronics and Drives at Vellore Institute of Technology
Technology (ICETET-09), Published in IEEE Explore, 16 University, Vellore, India. His area of interest is Induction
-18th December, 2009, Nagpur, log. No 978-0-7695- generator, Power Electronics.
3884-6/09 $26.00 © 2009 IEEE pp 453 - 458. E. Nand Gopal
[15] Subramanian Kulandhaivelu and Ray K.K. “Loading He is pursuing B. Tech degree in Electronics and Electronics
Effect of a Series Resonance Circuit on Asynchronous Engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology University,
Generator in an isolated Power Generation” Proceeding Vellore, India
of International conference on Advances in Computing Nimisha Gupta
Control and Telecommunication Technologies, ACT She is pursuing B. Tech degree in Electronics and Electronics
2009, Published in IEEE Explore, , 28 -29th December, Engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology University,
2009, Kerala, , log. No 978-0-7695-3915-7/09 $26.00 © Vellore, India
2009 IEEE DOI 10.1109/ACT.2009,47 pp 156 -158. Nirupama. V
[16] K. Subramanian and K.K Ray. “Experimental studies of She is pursuing B. Tech degree in Electronics and Electronics
loading Effect of a Series Resonance Circuit on an Engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology University,
Asynchronous Generator in an isolated Power System” Vellore, India
Proceeding of International conference on Recent Pragya Jha
Advancements in Electrical Sciences (ICRAES’10) She is pursuing B. Tech degree in Electronics and Electronics
organized by department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology University,
Engineering and Electronics Communication Vellore, India
Engineering, K.S.R college of Engineering, Meenakshi Sinha
Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, 8 & 9th January, 2010, pp She is pursuing B. Tech degree in Electronics and Electronics
47-59. Engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology University,
[17] K. Subramanian and K.K. Ray, “Modeling and Vellore, India
Simulation of an Asynchronous Generator with

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DOI: 01.ijcsi.01.01.05

State Of The Art of Electronic Load Controller of Self- Excited Asynchronous Generator Used In Mini / Micro Hydro Power Generation

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State Of The Art of Electronic Load Controller of Self- Excited Asynchronous Generator Used In Mini / Micro Hydro Power Generation