Theses and Dissertations Collection

The overarching goal of this project is to produce a fully operational, robust, modular, and reliable Type III Doubly-Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) Wind Turbine test bench. This thesis tackled the following objectives in the pursuit of achieving that goal:- Design, simulate, and test the electronic hardware subsystems for sub-synchronous operation of the DFIG on both the Rotor and Grid Sides of the machine - Design and simulate both the Rotor Side Control (RSC) and Grid Side Control (GSC) block diagrams in MATLAB Simulink (computer simulation software) for super-synchronous operation of the DFIG - Design and simulate the complete Type III DFIG WT test bench system in MATLAB Simulink simulation software - Test, model, and simulate both steady-state equivalent circuit and resulting model, and a dynamic model of the DFIG machines in MATLAB Simulink simulation software This test bench would allow for advanced research on wind turbines, specifically in the areas of power grid stability, protection, and power quality. Wind energy systems are growing more prevalent in the modern world. These energy systems, wind turbines, reduce the reliability, power quality, and stability of the power grid. Wind turbine manufacturing companies consider anything related to their turbine’s operation and design as proprietary information. A test bench of a Type III DFIG wind turbine would enable protection companies such as Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) to partner with the University of Idaho to perform pro-active research. This thesis established a strong base for finishing this test bench. Steady-state and dynamic machine models were developed, simulated, and verified. Electronics for both the rotor and grid sides of the DFIG were also developed and tested. A simulation model in MATLAB Simulink of the complete Type III DFIG test bench was also completed. This allowed for simulation of both the rotor and grid control schemes and verifiable results. Test and simulation results of all objectives verified proper design and operation.