Title :
Faroe Islands Wind-Powered Space Heating Microgrid Using Self-Excited 220-kW Induction Generator
Author :
Thomsen, Benn ; Guerrero, Josep M. ; Thogersen, Paul Bach
Author_Institution :
Faroese Earth & Energy Directorate, Torshavn, Faeroe Islands
Abstract :
Energy is fundamental to modern society. Increase in the price of oil as well as environmental concerns have spurred the use of alternative renewable energy sources. In the Faroe Islands, the readily available wind energy is an obvious source for space heating. Seasonal correlation exists between wind energy and required space heating and mismatches can be reduced by using simple water tanks as heat storages. A traditional Danish induction generator wind turbine has been erected on the island of Nólsoy to produce energy for space heating. The system is designed as a stand-alone microgrid, which needs its own control of frequency and voltage. A microcontroller is used to control frequency by matching load (heaters) to generated power and to produce the correct reactive power and voltage by switched capacitors. One challenge is the start-up procedure at high wind speeds when nominal speed tends to be reached before voltage builds up by the self-excitation process. This paper reports the initial test and adaptation of the control system.
Keywords :
asynchronous generators; distributed power generation; frequency control; microcontrollers; power distribution control; power generation control; space heating; thermal energy storage; voltage control; wind power plants; wind turbines; Faroe island; frequency control; induction generator wind turbine; microcontroller; power 220 kW; reactive power; self-excited induction generator; switched capacitor; voltage control; water tanks heat storage; wind powered space heating microgrid; Capacitors; Induction generators; Microgrids; Space heating; Wind energy; Wind turbines; Induction generator; microgrid; self-excitation; space heating; wind energy;
Journal_Title :
Sustainable Energy, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TSTE.2014.2339373