The Detailed Doubly Fed Induction Wind Generator for Electromagnetic Transients Calculations and its Initialization in ATP

The Alternative Transients Program (ATP) is one of the most used electromagnetic transient programs due to its powerful modeling capability and versatility. However, it has limitations as regards the automatic initialization of power electronics devices and control systems. To overcome this drawback, a simple methodology is presented in this paper to initialize a detailed model of a doubly fed induction wind generator implemented in ATP. The methodology is based on the automatic initialization of this device and it is divided into two stages. The first one consists of offline calculations to obtain initial steady-state values of certain model variables and, in the second one, these results are used as ATP model parameters. The simulation is started by means of auxiliary switches also included in the model. To validate the methodology, the transient and steady-state behavior of 4 case studies was evaluated. The analysis of these results shows that the steady-state values calculated by ATP for t = 0 are the desired ones and the oscillograms present a steady-state condition. The proposed methodology makes it possible to accurately initialize a detailed DFIG-type generator model in ATP, without the need to sacrifice simulation time to wait for variables to reach a steady state.

Analysis of the Electromechanical Characteristics of Power Transformer under Different Residual Fluxes

When the electromagnetic transients occur in a power transformer, an inrush current is generated in its winding. The inrush current not only affects the performance of the transformer windings, but also affects the lifetime of the transformer. Many factors affect the inrush current, the most influential ones among which are the closing phase angle and the residual flux. In this paper, a dry-type transformer simulation model is built to analyze the influence of the inrush current on the performance of transformer windings during no-load reclosing conditions. Firstly, the inrush current was generated in the transformer windings during the no-load reclosing operation under different residual fluxes. Secondly, the field-circuit coupling 3d finite element method is used to analyze the electromagnetic force at different locations of the transformer windings under the influence of different inrush currents. The results of winding structural parameter variations are obtained through electromagnetic-structural coupling simulation, and the electromagnetic forces are used as the input parameter for the structural analysis. Finally, the residual flux is generated by controlling the opening and closing angle of the transformer through the phase-controlled switch, and the winding electromechanical characteristics are tested under different residual fluxes. Finally, comparisons of the test and simulation results are drawn to verify the impact of the closing angle and residual flux on inrush current and the winding deformation during the no-load reclosing conditions.

Investigation of overvoltage on square, rectangular and L-shaped ground grids of high voltage substations by ATP/EMTP

<span lang="EN-US">Ground grid system is important for preventing the hazardous effects of overvoltage in high voltage substations due to fault current perhaps from lightning strike or device malfunction. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of overvoltage on square, rectangular and L-shaped ground grids with ground rods being distributed in mesh-pattern by using alternate transients program/electromagnetic transients program (ATP/EMTP) program. The models were simulated in the cases that 25 kA-fault current being injected into the center or one of the corners of ground grids. The results showed that the highest level of overvoltage (6.3349 kV) was detected at the corner of rectangular ground grid when the fault current was injected into its corner. However, the lowest level of overvoltage was found when the fault current was injected into the center of square ground grid. The results from this study indicated that ATP/EMTP program was useful for preliminary investigation of overvoltage on ground grids of different shapes. The obtained knowledge could be beneficial for further designing of ground grid systems of high voltage substations to receive the minimal damages due to fault current.</span>

Impact of nearby lightning on photovoltaic modules converters

Purpose The lightning phenomenon is one of the main threats in photovoltaic (PV) applications. Suitable protection systems avoid major damages from direct strikes but also nearby strikes may induce overvoltage transients in the module itself and in the power conditioning circuitry, which can permanently damage the system. The effects on the PV system sensibly depend on the converter topology and on the adopted power switch. In the present study, a comparative analysis of the transient response due to a nearby lightning strike (LS) is carried out for three PV systems, each equipped with a different converter, namely, boost, buck and buck–boost, based on either silicon carbide metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (SiC MOSFET) or insulated gate bipolar transistors controlled power switch devices, allowing in this way an analysis at different switching frequencies. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the numerical analysis to help the design of suited protection systems. Design/methodology/approach Using a recently introduced three-dimensional semi-analytical method to simulate the electromagnetic transients caused in PV modules by nearby LSs, we investigate numerically the effect of a LS on the electronic circuits connecting the module to the alternate current (AC) power systems. This study adopts numerical simulations because experimental analyses are not easy to perform and does not grant a sufficient coverage of all statistically relevant aspects. The approach was validated in a previous paper against available experimental data. Findings It is found that the load voltage is not severely interested by the strike effects, thanks to the low pass filters present at the converter output, whereas a relatively high overvoltage develops between the negative pin of the inner circuitry and the “ground” voltage reference. The overcurrent present in the active switches is hardly comparable because of the different topologies and working frequencies; however, the highest overcurrent is observed in the buck converter topology, with SiC MOSFET technology, although it shows the fastest decay. Originality/value This research proposes, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, a comprehensive comparison of the indirect lighting strike effects on the converter connected to PV panels. A proper design of the lightning and surge protection system should take into account such aspects to reduce the risk of induced overvoltage and overcurrent transients.