Terminal voltage and power factor control of induction generators for wind power generation system

This paper deals with two types of control method for induction generators used in wind power generating stations. One is aimed at maintaining the voltage of the station node and the other is aimed at maintaining a constant power factor through the branch connecting to the station. Both can be in the controllable area by adjusting the generator reactive power with compensating capacitors. First, theoretical equations for the terminal voltage and power factor of an induction generator are derived, and then the compensating capacitance corresponding to the wind velocity variation is determined quantitatively. By using the proposed control method, it is shown to be possible to maintain the terminal voltage and operating power factor of a wind power generation system at the target values, even when abrupt deviations are caused by wind power disturbances. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 163(3): 19– 26, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20298