Performance Analysis of PMSG based Wind Energy Conversion System with Different LVRT Enhancement Methods

Abstract

Background: Wind energy generation has emerged as the fastest growing renewable energy technology in recent years. Among different wind turbine configurations, Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) based wind turbines are becoming popular due to several advantageous features associated with this. Introduction: In the events of grid fault, active power delivery to the grid is required to be stopped or reduced as per the grid code specification and due to this mismatch between power generation and power delivery results in a rise in DC link voltage and high stress on converter switches. Modern grid codes suggest Wind Power Plants (WPPs) to remain in operation and such requirements are termed as Fault Ride-Through (FRT) or Low Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT). Method: Several LVRT enhance method have been proposed in the literature in the past having distinct pros and cons. Some of them employ external means and some suggest modification of existing control in order to meet LVRT requirement specified by the grid code. Methods based on external devices may be simple and effective but in some cases, they are not cost effective. Literature suggests the use of a modified controller based method for meeting LVRT requirement economically. Results: This paper presents a review of different LVRT enhancement methods for PMSG based Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECSs). In order to compare the performance outcomes of LVRT enhancement methods, several simulations are performed for an example WECS based on 2MW PMSG on MATLAB/Simulink platform. Conclusion: Based on the analysis of simulation results, Modified controller based methods and FACT devices are found cost-effective solutions for LVRT enhancement.