Analytical modelling of harmonics in an exciterless synchronous generator

Fallows, Daniel; Nuzzo, Stefano; Galea, Michael

Abstract

The replacement of the brushless exciter in the synchronous generator has long been desired as a method to increase power density. There are many topologies available that allow the excitation system of a synchronous generator to be combined with the main magnetic circuit, but these topologies have previously only been demonstrated on low power machines. This paper develops an analytical model of an existing exciterless machine topology and uses it to produce an optimized winding configuration to convert an existing, brushless exciter based, generator design to exciterless. Harmonic performance is a key requirement for medium power designs, with strict restrictions placed on manufacturers by grid standards worldwide. Therefore, the focus of the analytical model is to accurately predict the harmonic content of the machine at no-load, including the overall output voltage shape. This is validated experimentally against a prototype machine, and the feasibility of the exciterless topology, for medium power and above applications, is discussed.

Citation

Fallows, D., Nuzzo, S., & Galea, M. (2021). Analytical modelling of harmonics in an exciterless synchronous generator. In 2021 IEEE Workshop on Electrical Machines Design, Control and Diagnosis (WEMDCD) (28-33). https://doi.org/10.1109/WEMDCD51469.2021.9425658

• Conference Name: IEEE Workshop on Electrical Machines Design, Control and Diagnosis (WEMDCD 2021)
• Conference Location: Modena, Italy
• Start Date: Apr 8, 2021
• End Date: Apr 9, 2021
• Acceptance Date: Mar 1, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 11, 2021
• Publication Date: Apr 8, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jul 2, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 2, 2021
• Pages: 28-33
• Series Title: IEEE Workshop on Electrical Machines Design, Control and Diagnosis (WEMDCD)
• Book Title: 2021 IEEE Workshop on Electrical Machines Design, Control and Diagnosis (WEMDCD)
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/WEMDCD51469.2021.9425658
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5751829
• Publisher URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9425658
• Additional Information: © 2021 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.