Voltage and frequency control of standalone wind-driven self-excited reluctance generator using switching capacitors

This paper presents a methodology for voltage and frequency (V–f) control of a standalone wind-driven self-excited reluctance generator (WDSERG). The methodology is based on proposing two different compensation configurations using two switching capacitors (short-shunt and long-shunt compensation) for (V–f) control. The dynamic and steady-state performances of the two configurations are discussed under different operating conditions: wind speeds, load currents and power factors. This analysis is done by developing a complete dynamic model of WDSERG including the excitation capacitors and load. Therefore, complete equivalent circuits are proposed. The values of capacitors are controlled by adjusting the duty cycle of H-bridge circuits with PI controllers. To validate the proposed configurations and their dynamic models and equivalent circuits, simulation results for a 1.5-kW standalone WDSERG and experimental results for 0.2 kW reluctance generator driven by a DC motor, emulating the wind turbine, are carried out. The results show a significant enhancement in voltage and frequency regulation with the selected optimal capacitances for each configuration; however, short-shunt compensation is the preferred configuration as it controls the output voltage and frequency with minimum values of capacitances and minimum required duty variation.