Grid connection testing of wind energy converters with medium voltage generator- and grid emulation on a multi-megawatt power-hardware-in-the-loop test rig
Mohsen Neshati, S. Azarian, O. Curran, Rohit Pillai, Jens Due, Erin Guest, Nuno M. A. Freire, T. Dreyer, F. Martin
Abstract
As the demand for converter-interfaced renewable generation increases at an unprecedented rate, the wind sector is experiencing a rapid increase in the size and power of turbine and converter systems. This transition has introduced significant challenges in the scope of test and validation, and the imperative for alternative test methods becomes increasingly evident. Addressing these challenges, an alternative approach involves subsystem and component validation, with a primary emphasis on the grid-converter as the central component in conjunction with the grid. This is accomplished by utilization of converter based grid and generator emulation systems, complemented by hardware-in-the-loop systems to faithfully replicate complete system characteristics. In this context, this paper presents the design and implementation of a novel converter test rig to take advantage of broad capabilities enabled by the controllable grid frequency and voltage in the time and frequency domain. Furthermore, system components are introduced and the utilized power-hardware-in-the-loop methods are explained. Finally, extensive measurement results are presented followed by a thorough analysis of test rig performance, demonstrating an adequate system operation.