Modelling of steady state and transient performance of the synchronous generator considering harmonic distortions caused by non-uniform saturation of the pole shoe

•Synchronous generator circuit model incorporating non-uniform saturation of the pole shoe is presented.•Developed model describes synchronous generator in terms of its topology.•The harmonic content of generator voltage and current are accurate during no load and load performance. In this paper a synchronous generator model is described. This model is developed on the assumption that in loaded and no load conditions the saturation effect affects the pole shoe in a different way. The developed model is based on the multiple saliency model and is formulated using winding function approach in machine variables. The influence of the non-uniform saturation of the pole shoe in load conditions on the performance of the generator is investigated. Simulation results of the model are compared with the measurements on selected salient pole synchronous generator for steady and transient states.