Minimization of Voltage Harmonic Distortion of Synchronous Generators under Non-Linear Loading via Modulated Field Current

The synchronous generators (SGs) supplying non-linear loads have harmonically distorted terminal voltages. Hence, these distorted terminal voltages adversely affect the performance parameters of the supplied loads such as the power factor, current distortion, losses, and efficiency. To mitigate the harmonic voltages and currents, passive and active filters are generally employed. However, passive filters cause resonance problems, while active filters can cause high costs. On the other hand, in several recent studies to reduce the SG’s terminal voltage harmonic distortion, which depends on the constructional design under the no-loading condition, the conventional DC excitation current has been modulated with AC harmonic components. These field current modulation methods have high computational complexity, and require extra hardware for their implementation. In the present paper, firstly, for the reduction of the terminal voltage harmonic distortion of the SG under non-linear loading conditions, the validity of the field current modulation technique is investigated. The numerical results show that by using the field current modulation method, under rated loading conditions, the total harmonic distortion of the terminal voltage can be reduced from 18% to 11%. Secondly, to provide a computational efficient and low-cost tool for optimal field current modulation, which minimizes the terminal voltage harmonic distortion, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-based model is proposed. Finally, with the integration of ANSYS Maxwell, ANSYS Simplorer, and MATLAB/Simulink software, the implementation of the developed model is demonstrated for the construction of the optimally modulated field current.