Comparison of Rotor Side Converter Protection for DFIGs and Brushless Doubly Fed Reluctance Machines under Fault Conditions

Abstract

The Brushless Doubly Fed Reluctance Machine (BDFRM) is an unusual electrical machine that is suitable for wind power applications. Similar to the Double Fed Induction Generator (DFIG), it uses a partially rated converter to achieve variable speed operation in wind turbine applications. Protection of the rotor side converter of a DFIG system has proven problematic. This paper compares the performance of the DFIG and BDFRM under severe grid fault conditions, and shows that the BDFRM is intrinsically able to protect the rotor side converter from damage. Simulation results are presented that compare BDFRM and DFIG fault performance.