Induction Generators(IG)

IG:
Induction machines run at beyond
synchronous speed with appropriate excitation
in place
 Induction motor working
Synchronously rotating flux (at synchronous speed Ns) in the air gap
cuts the stationary rotor conductor when 3 phase balanced supply is
fed to the stator
EMF is induced in the rotor conductor due to relative speed between
rotating flux and stationary rotor conductor which is Ns at the
beginning.
The direction of current in the rotor conductor is opposite to the
direction of flux and tries to reduce the relative speed which was
causing the emf induction (Lenzs law).
The rotor rotates in the same direction of the flux so that the relative
speed reduces nearly to zero (but never to zero). The difference of
speed between rotor and synchronously rotating flux with respect to
the synchronous speed is termed as slip.
Power stages in Induction Motor
Power stages in Induction Generator
 Grid connected and stand alone Induction
Generator
Induction machine in generating mode:
When rotor is run beyond the synchronous speed, slip is negative
and hence the torque is negative. This means torque is applied to the
machine by the prime mover which is the generating mode.
Grid connected IG:
Rotor run beyond the synchronous speed by the prime mover and
reactive power for excitation is drawn from the grid.
Stand alone (isolated) IG
Rotor run beyond the synchronous speed by the prime mover and
reactive power for excitation is supplied by externally connected
excitation capacitors
Induction Machine Characteristics
Voltage build up in Induction Generator
Residual magnetism in the magnetic circuit induces small
voltage in the stator
Such a voltage across a capacitor connected at its terminals
causes lagging magnetizing current through the stator terminal
(leading current through the capacitors).
Such magnetizing current increases the air gap flux and hence
increases the voltage at the stator terminal.
The process continues till final voltage is built up due to
saturation.
The value of capacitance below which no emf is induced is
called critical capacitance (C3) in the curve to follow). In this
curve C4<C3<C2<C1. As capacitance decreases, its reactance
(the slope of the curve) increases.
Equivalent circuit of IG for no load excitation
condition
Build up final voltage at no load
Excitation capacitors in Induction Generators
 Calculation of excitation capacitance
Electrical test Method
No load test is performed in which the line current and supply voltage
are measured when machine is run as motor with no mechanical load
applied.
The magnetizing reactance calculated from no load voltage and
current gives the capacitive reactance to be provided by the excitation
capacitors.
Using manufacturers data
This involves an estimation of magnetizing current component using
the full load current and power factor mentioned in the
manufacturers data sheet. The magnetizing (capacitive) reactance
and hence the capacitance is then calculated from this current and the
rated voltage.
 Example-1
A 8 KW, 750 rpm, 50 Hz, 380 V (line to line) 3 phase
induction motor draws a line current of 15 A when the
machine supplied at its rated voltage and frequency with
no mechanical load. What size of excitation capacitors
are needed for delta connection in order to make the
machine generate at approximately its rated voltage
when driven slightly above its rated speed? Find also the
voltage for which the capacitors have to be designed.
Also calculate the value of excitation capacitance and
their voltage ratings when they are to be star connected.
 Example-II
A 4 pole 3 phase 18.5 KW induction motor rated at
380 V (line to line) , 50 Hz, frame size D160L, have
been chosen to be used as induction generator.
Use manufacturer's data sheet to find full load
current and full load power factor and calculate the
size and voltage rating of the excitation capacitors
when they are to be connected in a) delta b) star
Repeat the calculation in i) when the same
machine is to be used at 240 V (line to line).
 Specification of Induction generator
Electrical Specification:
IG should be rated to supply a load of p.f. not less than 0.8 lagging using Induction
Generator Controller (IGC).
To choose a motor to act as a generator, simply divide the generator rating required
in kW by a de-rating factor of 0.8 to compensate for possible load imbalance in case
of three phase machines and winding imbalance in case of single phase machine.
The mechanical input power to the generator must not be more than the motor
rating as otherwise shafts and bearings may be over loaded. As the losses in the
generating mode will be supplied from the mechanical input power, the rated
electrical output power will be significantly less than the motor rating.
Since the efficiency of induction machine is same in both motoring as well as
generating mode, it is to be made sure that motor is not rated less than the required
generator rating divided by its efficiency. This is ,though ,normally taken care by
above de-rating rule.
When an Induction motor is used as induction generator, voltage output will be
approximately 10% lower than the motor supply voltage while operating at same
frequency and same magnetizing current. So either decide to supply electrical power
at lower voltage or obtain the output voltage equal to the rated motor voltage by
increasing the frequency using an IGC.
 Specification of Induction generator.
Mechanical specifications:
Induction machines upto 50 KW usually have bearing and
shafts designed to drive through pulleys and belts.
Still it is important to ask manufacturer whether the machine
under consideration is capable of doing this.
The manufacturer may, on request, fit some heavy duty
bearing if there is some doubt whether the normal bearing
will withstand the belt drive force.
All the considerations for synchronous generators equally
apply for induction generator too.
Induction Generator Controller
 Induction Generator Controller.
Isolated IG has poor output voltage at increased load due to inability of
supplying enough reactive power. Also its voltage is dependent on speed.
Hence some form of voltage and frequency control must be adopted.
IGC performs both these function for induction generator by making use
of load speed characteristics of the turbine and voltage speed
characteristics of the generator.
IGC senses the output voltage of the generator (changed due to both
change in load as well as speed) and controls the output voltage and
speed by diverting varying amount of power to the ballast load. Unlike in
ELC, the voltage is sensed rather than speed avoiding the use of separate
AVR.
IGC allows reactive loads to be supplied only if the power factor is not
less than 0.8 lagging.