Characteristics of Winter Lightning Threatening Wind Turbines in Coastal Area of the Sea of Japan

Wind turbines on the coast of the Sea of Japan have been damaged by lightning in winter. This is due to the frequent occurrence of upward lightning from wind turbines in winter. Occurrence of upward lightning proves to be closely related to the temperature distribution at high altitudes. In this paper, the correlation between lightning hits of wind turbines and the height of the—10 ^°C layer is analyzed. When an upward lightning hits a wind turbine in winter, the height of the—10 ^°C layer is lower than 2000 m in most cases. Moreover, winter lightning is classified into two types, namely, the storm type and the inactive type, and it is found that the parameters of lightning currents observed by LLS differ depending on the type of lightning storm. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 184(2): 44–50, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22357     

Winter lightning on Japan Sea coast-lightning striking frequency totall structures

The nature of lightning strikes on tall structures on the coast of the Japan Sea in winter has been observed with automatically triggered camera and current measurements. It is shown that the frequency of winter lightning striking tall structures is much higher than that of summer lightning and it increases proportionally to the height of structures. Sometimes lightning strikes several tall structures simultaneously. Statistics of the striking frequency, striking angle, and the leader length of the lightning discharge are presented     

Experimental and analytical studies of lightning overvoltages in wind turbine generator systems

This paper presents the results of the experimental and analytical studies undertaken for the lightning protection of wind turbine generator systems by using a reduced-size wind turbine model. In the analytical studies, the FDTD (Finite Difference Time Domain) method is used. This study focuses on the overvoltages observed at the wavefronts of lightning surges. The lightning strokes on one of the blades and on the nacelle were considered, and the experiments and analyses were carried out by considering the cases of summer and winter lightning. The voltages and currents at various positions on the wind turbine model were considered.     

Two types of lightning discharges to a high stack on the coast ofthe sea of Japan in winter

To clarify the characteristics of lightning on the coast of the Sea of Japan in the winter season, the current waveform and the progression of lightning discharge to a high stack were observed. Observation results from 1989 to 1994 show that: (1) there are two types of lightning discharges-one with large currents and strong luminosity in the lightning path, and the other with small currents of long duration and weak luminosity of lightning path; (2) the parameters of lightning currents of the two types of discharges are quite different; and (3) there is a quantitative correlation between the change of luminosity in a lightning path and the lightning current waveform     

An experimental study of lightning overvoltages in wind turbine generation systems using a reduced‐size model

Wind turbine generation systems are built at locations where few tall structures are found nearby so as to obtain good wind conditions, and thus, they are often struck by lightning. To promote wind power generation, lightning‐protection methodologies for such wind turbine generation systems have to be established. This paper presents the result of an experimental study of lightning overvoltages in wind turbine generation systems using a reduced‐size wind turbine model. Overvoltages observed at wavefronts of lightning surges are focused on in this study. In the experiments, lightning strokes to one of the blades and to the nacelle were considered, and voltages and currents at various positions of the wind turbine model were measured. The following points have been deduced from the results: (i) The voltage rise due to the tower footing resistance can cause a significant voltage difference between the tower foot and an incoming conductor led from a distant point. Also, a voltage difference between the bottom of down conductors installed inside the tower and an incoming conductor can be of significance. (ii) The lightning current flowing through the tower body induces voltages in main and control circuits which form loops, and the induced voltages can cause overvoltages and malfunctions. (iii) Traveling‐wave phenomena in a wind turbine generation system for a lightning strike to the tip of a blade and to the nacelle have been clarified from the measured waveforms. This information can be used for developing an EMTP simulation model of wind turbine generation systems. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 158(4): 22– 30, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20466     

Frequency of Upward Lightning Hits to Wind Turbines in Winter

In recent years, frequent damage to wind turbines by winter lightning has been reported in the region along the Sea of Japan. It is a serious finding that lightning hits concentrate on wind turbines in this region. The authors investigated the increase rate of the frequency of lightning hits on wind turbines due to wind turbine construction by using LLS (lightning location system) data. As a result, an experimental formula to estimate the increase rate of the frequency of lightning hits on wind turbines as a function of parameters related to the construction conditions, namely the height of wind turbines, the height above sea level, and the latitude, is proposed.     

Development of trouble diagnosis technology of 50‐W‐grade micro wind turbine generator

The establishment of an early trouble diagnosis system is needed in order to prevent damage to wind turbine generators. Therefore, acoustic emission (AE) signals resulting from damage to a wind blade were detected with an AE sensor installed on the body of the wind turbine generator and on the mounting pole. In this study, the length of a blade of a micro wind turbine generator was varied to simulate trouble at constant wind velocity. The AE signals which occurred at this time were measured with an AE sensor. The signal was processed by FFT analysis, and the change of spectral strength was examined. A trouble diagnosis technology for 50‐W‐grade micro wind turbines generator was then developed. A method of counting the number of occurrences of above‐threshold AE signals was suggested by the wave pattern of the AE signals. It was found that the number of occurrences could be used as a standard to judge the normality or abnormality of 50‐W‐grade micro wind turbine generators. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 174(1): 33–39, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.21017     

风力发电机组对称短路特性分析

在电力系统分析软件DIgSILENT/Power Factory中建立风电机组及电力系统模型,包括固定转速风电机组和双馈变速风电机组。设置靠近风电场的三相对称短路故障,对风电机组对称短路特性进行理论与仿真分析,比较了不同类型风电机组与相同容量同步发电机组的短路电流波形。以某区域电网为例计算了风电场接入前后其附近母线短路电流,计算风电场接入后使得短路电流增加的百分数,以确定风电场对系统短路电流的贡献。理论分析和仿真结果表明,风电场对并网点附近节点的短路电流有较大影响,在选择风电场附近的电气设备以及对其进行热稳定性校核时,需要考虑风电场对系统短路电流的贡献。     

Classification of lightning damage to wind turbine blades

Lightning damage to wind turbine blades is of great concern to wind power installations. We investigate various issues arising from lightning damage and assess the causes through actual lightning observations as well as from high‐voltage and large‐current experiments. Although installing lightning receptors and down conductors provide a good countermeasure, blade damage can still be caused by lightning still. New techniques are needed to better protect blades from lightning surges; these may include not only better performance and layout of receptors, but also independent lightning towers and new types of blade materials. This paper provides a classification of blade damage sustained in winter lightning, ranked in severity by analyzing the many incidents of damage that have actually occurred in Japan. Moreover, a list of possible causes of damage and relative countermeasures is also presented. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

High‐current lightning discharges in winter

Lightning electric‐field waveforms related to power line faults in winter have been identified. Most of those waveforms appear to be associated with upward lightning discharges with absolute peak currents of over 100 kA. They are quite different from common return‐stroke waveforms, and the lightning discharges which produce these characteristic waveforms are called GC (Ground to Cloud) flashes. These high‐current lightning discharges are distributed around the coastline in different ways depending on their polarities. The spatial distributions of high‐current lightning discharges around Japan are also investigated. It is revealed that the region of Honshu Island along the coastline of the Sea of Japan belongs to the area in which the density of high‐current lightning flashes is the highest in Japan through the year. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 170(1): 8–15, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20874     

Compensation for harmonic currents and reactive power in wind power generation system using PWM inverter

In recent years, awareness of environmental problems is growing, and the price of electric power purchased by electric companies has been expensive for power plants utilizing natural energy. Thus, the introduction of wind power generation is being promoted in Japan. Generally, squirrel‐cage induction machines are widely used as generators in wind power generation systems because of their small size, light weight, and low cost. However, the induction machines do not have a source of excitation. Thus, inrush currents and instantaneous voltage drops occur when the generator is directly connected to a power grid. To reduce the inrush currents, an AC power regulator is used. Wind power generators are frequently connected to and disconnected from the power grid. However, when the inrush currents are reduced, harmonic currents are caused by phase control of the AC power regulator. And the phase control of the AC power regulator cannot control the power factor. Therefore, we propose the use of the AC power regulator to compensate for the harmonic currents and reactive power in a wind power generation system, and demonstrate the validity of this system by simulated and experimental results. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 154(2): 58–67, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20254     

Matching between straight‐wing nonarticulated vertical axis wind turbine and a new wind turbine generator

In the current wind turbine generation system, there are substantial problems such as the fact that the maximum power of the wind turbine cannot be obtained in the presence of fluctuating wind speed, as well as high cost and low annual net electricity production (due to mismatch between generators and wind turbines). A new wind turbine generator optimized for the wind turbine output is presented in order to solve such problems. This wind turbine generator consists of a permanent magnet generator, a reactor, and a rectifier, and uses neither a control circuit which requires standby electricity nor a PWM converter having a switching element. By selecting the most appropriate combination of a permanent magnet generator with multiple windings and a reactor connected in series with each winding, the maximum output of the wind turbine can be obtained without using a control circuit. The new wind turbine generator was directly coupled with a straight‐wing nonarticulated vertical‐axis wind turbine (SW‐VAWT), and matching of the generator with the wind turbine was examined in field tests. The test results and review confirm that the new wind turbine generator is highly matched with the wind turbine in the presence of fluctuating wind speed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 174(2): 26–35, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.21036     

A calculation method of the total efficiency of wind generators

The spread of wind energy converters is progressing in recent years and its capacity is becoming larger and larger. In order to capture more energy from the wind, it is important to analyze loss characteristics of wind generators for the operating speed which is determined dependent on the wind speed. This paper presents a method to evaluate various losses in a wind generator as a function of wind speed, which is based on steady‐state analysis and thus the calculations can be performed quickly. By using the proposed method, wind turbine power, generator output, various losses, and the total energy efficiency are calculated for three types of wind speed data which are represented by a Weibull function. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 157(3): 52–62, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20426 Copyright © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Simulation of Lightning Overvoltage Distribution on Stator Windings of Wind Turbine GeneratorsEI北大核心CSCD

This paper analyzes lightning surge on the stator windings of wind turbine generators. The path of lightning in the wind turbines was analyzed. An equivalent circuit model for megawatt direct-driven wi...     

A study of generator system selection for large wind turbine generator system

This paper focuses on selection of wind turbine generation systems that include generators, converters, and gears. We study three systems: a permanent magnet generator (PMG) system, a doubly‐fed generator (DFG) system, and a synchronous generator (SYG) system in terms of the system efficiencies and running costs. The system efficiencies and running costs are calculated by considering the relationship between wind power and wind conditions. According to these results, the one‐step gear PMG system is the best choice for a large wind turbine system. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 161(1): 51–57, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20506     

Pitch control based on voltage dip detection for improving the LVRT of wind farm

For the stability of power systems including large‐scale generation of wind power, wind farms are expected to fulfill the requirement with the capability to remain connected to the systems during a momentary voltage dip occurring in power networks. This has prompted many utilities to adopt the low‐voltage ride‐through (LVRT) of wind turbine generators (WTGs) as one of the requirements in interconnection of large wind farms. This paper presents a new method of pitch angle control for fixed‐speed wind turbine (FSWT) to achieve LVRT capability improvement. The FSWT is equipped with directly grid‐coupled squirrel‐cage induction generator and the LVRT behavior of such wind turbine is closely related to the overspeeding of wind turbine rotor during voltage dip. If the turbine rotor speed can be reduced quickly during voltage dip so as not to rise over the maximum speed, then the sudden disconnection of WTG can be avoided. The proposed pitch control system can modify the pitch angle in the short response time by the coordination of protective relay. Then the pitch angle is adjusted by a feedback proportional integral controller based on the measurement of induction generator terminal voltage. Simulation study shows that the application of the proposed pitch control system can improve the LVRT performance of a wind farm equipped with FSWTs. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Speed control of grid-connected switched reluctance generator driven by variable speed wind turbine using adaptive neural network controller

In wind energy conversion system, variable speed operation is becoming popular nowadays, where conventional synchronous generators, permanent magnet synchronous generators, and doubly fed induction generators are commercially used as wind generators. Along with the existing and classical solutions of the aforementioned machines used in wind power applications, the switched reluctance generator (SRG) can also be considered as a wind generator due to its inherent characteristics such as simple construction, robustness, low manufacturing cost, etc. This paper presents a novel speed control of switched reluctance generator by using adaptive neural network (ANN) controller. The SRG is driven by variable speed wind turbine and it is connected to the grid through an asymmetric half bridge converter, DC-link, and DC-AC inverter system. Speed control is very important for variable speed operation of SRG to ensure maximum power delivery to the grid for any particular wind speed. Detailed modeling and control strategies of SRG as well as other individual components including wind turbine, converter, and inverter systems are presented. The effectiveness of the proposed system is verified with simulation results using the real wind speed data measured at Hokkaido Island, Japan. The dynamic simulation study is carried out using PSCAD/EMTDC.     

风力发电机组控制系统的研究分析

对目前流行的风力发电机组控制系统进行对比分析.在简述风力机特性的基础上,介绍了定桨距和变桨距发电机组的特点,重点分析了基于双馈发电机的变速恒频发电系统及桨叶节距角控制系统.讨论了未来风力发电控制技术的发展趋势和应用前景.     

风电机组的雷击机理与防雷技术

随着风电机组单机容量和风电场规模的增大，风电场的安全运行问题日益受到重视。在影响风电场安全运行的诸多因素中，遭受雷击是一个重要方面。本文结合风电机组防雷的研究成果，对风电机组的雷击过程、雷击损坏机理以及防雷措施进行了较全面的阐述。     

具有无功馈送绕组的多相永磁同步发电机稳态特性

对于5 MW及以上超大功率近海风电机组,现有中低压技术方案使发电机与变流器均需要承受较大电流,因此风电系统效率低下。文中简述了具有无功馈送绕组的高压永磁多相风力发电机结构。这种新的结构可以利用拓扑简单的单极性变流器串联直接实现高压直流,同时利用无功馈送绕组,向发电机注入无功功率可以实现发电机励磁与转矩的解耦控制。另外,新的技术方案还能在直流母线短路时,对短路电流峰值进行抑制。文中着重分析了该方案中发电机的稳态特性,首先推导了定子多绕组同步发电机的数学模型,然后通过数值计算的方法,利用一个设计好的6.7 MVA风力发电机相关参数对新的技术方案中发电机的稳态特性进行了分析。