Coupled finite-element/state-space modeling of turbogenerators in the abc frame of reference-the no-load case

This first of two companion papers centers on applying a coupled finite-element/state-space technique to the determination of self and mutual winding inductances of a 733 MVA turbogenerator and computing its open-circuit characteristic, in the natural abc frame of reference. In this method, the apparent self and mutual inductance profiles of the armature and field windings, expressed as functions of rotor position angle, are computed from a series of magnetic field solutions performed at uniformly-distributed samples of rotor positions covering the entire 360° electrical cycle, using the energy perturbation method. These inductances, which are obtained at no-load for three different excitation levels, include the full effect of space harmonics introduced by the magnetic circuit geometry, winding layouts and magnetic circuit saturation. The abc-frame/finite-element computed open-circuit characteristic is in excellent agreement with the test results. This computed no-load set of parameters forms the initial data for simulation of the full-load performance given in the companion paper, including the full impact of space harmonics and saturation on the flux linkage, current and voltage waveforms, and other performance parameters