PERMANENT-MAGNET INDUCTION GENERATORS

The advantage of using a permanent-magnet induction generator (PMIG) instead of a

conventional induction generator is its ability to suppress inrush current during system linking
when synchronous input is performed. Induction machines excited with permanent-magnet (PM)
are called permanent-magnet induction generators.

Introduction :

The rate of depletion of the conventional energy sources is increasing day by day. This has
introduced the application of non-conventional energy sources over the conventional energy
sources. The non-conventional or renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, small scale
hydro power plants, biogas etc. is also contributing environmental protection than that of the
conventional energy sources. Induction generators are becoming more and more popular in the
application of renewable energy sources. There are several advantages of induction generators
such as ruggedness, brushless (in squirrel cage construction), absence of separate DC source for
excitation, easy maintenance, self protection against severe overloads and short circuits etc. Also
they do not need any frequency control equipment and have low initial investments and
maintenance cost. But the performance of an induction generator is poor in terms of voltage
regulation as it requires a magnetizing current from the source for excitation. The power factor,
voltage regulation and efficiency can be improved by the use of PMIG. In PMIG, permanent-
magnets are incorporated in the conventional rotor of an induction generator.

Classification of Permanent-Magnet Machines

On the basis of direction of flux-path and the structure, the permanent-magnet machines can be
categorized as follows:

 Radial-flux permanent magnet machines (RFPM)

 Axial-flux permanent-magnet machines (AFPM)
 Transverse-flux permanent-magnet machines (TFPM)
1. Radial-flux permanent magnet machines (RFPM) :

The radial-flux permanent magnet machines are those machines which produce the
magnetic flux in the radial direction having permanent-magnet excitation. Compared to the axial
flux machines, the radial flux machines is economically a better option, especially for large
direct-drive wind turbines. In the radial-flux machines, the stator is designed with electrical
grade steel laminations with distributed windings. Compared to the axial-flux permanent-magnet
machines, the radial-flux permanent-magnet machines have the advantages of higher
torque/mass ratio, small outer diameter, small amount of PM, easier to maintain air-gap in small
diameter.

2. Axial-flux permanent-magnet machines (AFPM) :

The axial-flux permanent-magnet machines are those machines which produces the flux
in the axial direction having permanent-magnet excitations. Axial-flux machines have simple
winding, low cogging torque, short-axial length of the machine, and higher torque/volume ratio
compared to the radial-flux machines. Compared to the radial- flux permanent magnet machines,
the axial-flux permanent magnet machines have the advantages of simple winding, low cogging
torque and noise (in slot less machine), short axial length of the machine, and higher
torque/volume ratio.

3. Transverse-flux permanent-magnet machines (TFPM) :

The transverse-flux permanent-magnet machines are the machines where the magnetic
flux path is perpendicular to the direction of the rotation of rotor. Compared to the AFPM and
RFPM, these machines are available with increase in the space for the windings without any
decreasing of the available space for the main flux. TFPM machines seem to be a better option,
especially for direct-drive turbines because of its high specific torque. Compared to the axial-flux
permanent- magnet and radial-flux permanent-magnet machines, the main advantages of TFPM
are higher force density, considerable low copper loss, and simple winding.

Process of PM Excitation and Voltage Buildup

The permanent-magnet induction machines (PMIM) combines the advantages of both PM

synchronous machines and an induction machines. The generator can be directly coupled to the
turbine and grid if we use PMIM as a generator. Thus no requirement of gear box and frequency
converter, and this reduces the wind turbine losses

In PMIG, the stator is made similar to an induction machines equipped with a three
phase winding. But it is different from an induction machine because it has two rotor parts, an
outer rotor squirrel cage rotor and an inner PM rotor. When the squirrel cage rotor is rotated by
some external means, the PM rotor also rotates with the squirrel cage rotor. When the speed of
the squirrel cage rotor comes above the synchronous speed, the PM rotor starts to rotate
synchronously with the rotating field of the stator. It means the slip becomes negative, and the
PMIM feed power to the grid. The process of voltage build up is similar to just like a D.C.
generator. The voltage builds up according to PM excitation in the rotor. Thus it depends also
upon the used PM material in the induction machine.

Modelling of PMIG

To analyze the steady-state performance of the PMIG, various models are being used.
These are being described as follows:

1. d-q reference model

The two components of the current I are the quadrature current and the direct current
components. The quadrature current component is the current that balances current in the squirrel
cage and the direct current component is the magnetizing current component.

Generator Model

The PMSG is used to produce electricity from the mechanical energy obtained from the
wind Turbine. In the PMSG, the rotor magnetic flux is generated by permanent magnets which
are placed on the rotor surface . To simplify the analysis, The PMSG is normally modeled in the
rotor field (dq-axis) synchronous reference frame, in which the q-axis is 900 ahead of the d-axis
with respect to the direction of rotation. The rotor has two axes ,which the axis that is aligned
with the rotor and flux is called d-axis and the perpendicular axis to d-axis called q-axis .The flux
caused by PM is in the direction of d-axis, the angle between stator axis and d-axis is called ϴe
as shown in Figure 1.
 Figure 1: The Configuration of The Winding and PM in The PMSG

The synchronization between the d-q rotating reference frame and the abc-three phase
frame is maintained by utilizing a phase locked loop .To simplify the SG model of Figure 1, the
following mathematical manipulations can be performed.The voltage equations for the
synchronous generator are given by (1) and (2):

vds = −Rs ids −wrʎqs +pʎds (1)

vqs = −Rsiqs +wrʎds +pʎqs (2)

Where ʎds = −Ldids +ʎr (3)

ʎqs = −Lqiqs (4)

Where ʎr is the rotor flux which is constant in the PMSG so, dʎr dt = 0 ; Ld and Lq
are the stator dq-axis self- inductances .

Substitute from equations (3) and (4) in (1) and (2) yield

vds = −Rs ids +wrLqiqs −Ldpids (5)

vqs = −Rsiqs −wrLdids +wrʎr −Lqpiqs (6)

 A simplified dq-axis model of the PMSG in the rotor-field synchronous reference frame
is shown in figure 2.

Figure 2. Equivalent Circuit of The PMSG in The Synchronous Frame.

The electromagnetic torque produced by the PMSG can be calculated from the following
equations:

Te = 3P 2 (iqsʎds −idsʎqs) (7)

= 3P 2 ([iqsʎr −(Ld −Lq)idsiqs] (8)

The rotor speed wr is governed by motion equation given by:

wr = P JS (Te −Tm) (9)

To derive the PMSG model for dynamic simulation of synchronous generators equations are
rearranged as:

ids = 1 S (−vds −Rs ids +wrLqiqs)/Ld (10)

iqs = 1 S (−vqs −Rsiqs −wrLdids +wrʎr)/Lq (11)

The active power delivered to the load is given by:

Ps = Pm−Pcus = Tm ∗wm = Te ∗ wr P −3Is2Rs (12)

Where vds,vqs are the dq-axis stator voltages, Rs is the stator resistance , ʎr is the rotor flux
linkage, Tm is the mechanical torque , ids , iqs are the dq-axis stator currents , wr is the rotor
mechanical speed and Te is the electromagnetic torque.

2. Impedance-based model

The performance of the PMIG using an impedance model based on a conventional single
phase equivalent circuit with p.u. parameter has been analyzed. The results were also compared
and verified with the experimental results for a prototype model of PMIG.

3. FEM Model

The two-dimensional FEM method was used to clarify the performance of a PMIG when
the grid voltage is unbalanced. Based on the position of the squirrel cage rotor and the PM rotor,
and the spatial distribution of the primary and secondary current, the 2D FEM method was used.

STEADY STATE ANALYSIS

PMSG Loaded with (R-L) Load:

The steady-state performance of a stand-alone salient-pole PMSG with an inductive load is
analyzed using the dq – axis steady-state equivalent circuit The generator operates supplies a
three-phase RL load. Since the q-axis leads the d-axis by 90°, the generator dq-axis stator
voltages which are also the load voltages can be calculated by following equations:
vds + jvqs = (ids + jiqs)( Rl + jwrLl) = (Rlids − wrLliqs) + j(Rliqs + wrLlids) (13)
Where wr is the rotor electrical speed which is also the speed of the dq synchronous reference
frame.
Equation (13) can be arranged as
vds = Rlids − wrLliqs = Rlids − XLiqs (14)

vqs = Rliqs + wrLlids = Rliqs + Xlids (15)

Where XLiqs = wrLliqs, Xlids = wrLlids are referred to speed voltages due to the transformation of
the load inductance from abc-stationary frame to the dq-synchronous frame. A model for RL
load is simulating with dq-axis equivalent circuits of inductive load are shown in Figure. 3.
 Figure 3. dq-axis Equivalent Circuits

Equivalent Circuit of Permanent magnet alternator :

Fig. 4. Equivalent circuit for one phase of the PMSG

Fig. 4 depicts an equivalent circuit for one phase of the PMSG. Here, P o, Pg, and PFW are the
output power of the PMSG, the input power of the PMSG, and the mechanical losses due to
various causes such as bearing friction and windage loss, respectively. Tg and TFW are the
torques corresponding to the input power and mechanical losses. eback, Ra, and Xs are the phase
back emf, phase resistance, and phase reactance of the PMSG. Note that eback is expressed as a
peak value and Xs is given by ωeLs. Here ωe is given by 2πfe; fe is an electrical frequency. From
Fig. 4, the terminal voltage (Va) and load current (Ia) of phase A can be obtained as follows.

Ia = eback / √(RL+Ra)2 + Xs2

Va = IaRL

As a consequence, the output power (Po) of PMSG can be obtained easily as follows:
Po = (VaIa + VbIb + VcIc)

where the terminal voltage of phase B (Vb) and phase C (Vc) are given by IbRL and IcRL,
respectively, and the load current of phase B (Ib) and phase C (Ic) are given as follows.

Ib = Ia sin (wet - 2π/3) / sin (wet)

Ic = Ia sin (wet - 4π/3) / sin (wet)

Conclusion

The use of a PMIG offers many advantages over a conventional induction generator. PMIM as a
generator reduces the magnetizing current from the grid, and also improves the power factor and
efficiency. It is expected that PMIG will be utilized more and more in future in renewable energy
sources.